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ALVMNVS BOOK FYND
THE
EARLY DAYS AND REMEMBRANCES
OP
OCEOLA NIKKANOCHEE,
PRINCE OF ECONCHATTI.
London— Printed by A. Drew, 17, Portugal Street, Lincoln's Inn.-
EE, PHIiSfCE OF E€ON€HATTI
Ayoun^ SejxuTiole Indiaix
SON or ECO NO H ATT I -Ml CO, KING OF THE RED HILLS.
Published IjyHatchard & Son , Rccadill-.
A NARRATIVE
OF THE
EARLY DAYS AND REMEMBRANCES
OF
OCEOLA NIKKANOCHEE,
PRINCE OF ECONCHATTI,
A YOUNG SEMINOLE INDIAN; SON OF ECONCHATTI-MICO,
KING OF THE RED HILLS, IN FLORIDA;
WITH
A BRIEF HISTORY OF HIS NATION, AND HIS RENOWNED UNCLE,
OCEOLA, AND HIS PARENTS :
AND
AMUSING TALES, ILLUSTRATIVE OF INDIAN LIFE IN FLORIDA.
" This child, who parentless, is therefore mine."
BYRON,
WRITTEN BY HIS GUARDIAN.
LONDON :
HATCHARD AND SON, PICCADILLY,
AND SOLD BY ALL BOOKSELLERS IN LONDON.
1841.
TO THE
HONOURABLE THE COMMITTEE
OF THE
protection
GENTLEMEN,
THE benevolent designs of your
Society in behalf of the untaught children of the
wilderness, are in themselves sufficient to insure some
attention to this Book, more particularly when I assert
that it has been written exclusively for the benefit of
one who claims a high rank among his people, and
who is in every way deserving the kind attention he
daily experiences from the most distinguished cha
racters of this country.
DEDICATION.
As a production, I hesitate to submit it to the
perusal of gentlemen as famous for their literary
attainments as for their philanthropy ; but as a work
penned for the motive already specified, as well as of
bringing this high-born Child of Nature into the notice
of that grade of society to which he undoubtedly
belongs by birth and parentage, I fearlessly venture to
dedicate to you my very humble effort.
With a high sense of admiration for your noble
exertions to relieve the sufferings, and at the same
time to enlighten the minds, of the Aborigines of all
nations, and with an earnest prayer to the great Giver
of life and reason that he may be pleased to crown
your undertakings with success,
I have the honour to be,
GENTLEMEN,
With much respect,
Your devoted Servant,
THE AUTHOE.
PREFACE,
IN compiling the following Narrative, I had no inten
tion of bringing it before the public, — my object was to
record all the events relating to the life and capture of
my protegee with which I was acquainted ; as much as
I could obtain from himself, and from the report of
the soldiers by whom he was taken ; in order, that in
the event of my death, the manuscript might inform
him of his origin and history, and at the same time
remind him of one who loved him with the fondness of
a father. In compliance, however, with the urgent
requests of many who take a warm interest in behalf
of this young nobleman — for such he may in truth be
called— and whose opinions and wishes I am bound to
treat with respect, I am induced to publish it.
PREFACE.
To write the Biography of one in years, as dic
tated by himself, whose memory is rife with all the
incidents of his existence since the first dawnings of
memory — and of one who probably possesses the
advantages of education; or the life of some emi
nent character, whose history may be gleaned, in a
great measure, from publications, which have ever
elucidated the most trifling act or circumstance con
nected with his private or public career — thus leaving
the Historian little more than the trouble of com
piling what is already known to the greater propor
tion of an intelligent community, may not be tasks
of difficulty ; but, to undertake the narration of
events of one, not more than nine or ten years old ;
the most romantic and interesting of which have
happened previous to the tender age of six or seven,
and one who has, until that early time of his life,
passed his days in a vast wilderness — whose intellects
have scarcely been allowed to expand beyond the pale
of instinct peculiar to all creatures in savage life
is an undertaking fraught with embarrassment : yet,
in this I am sustained by the purity and innocence
PREFACE.
of my young protegee ; whose regard for truth is as
remarkable as his brilliancy of conception, and clear
ness of expression.
More than three years have elapsed since Almighty
Providence first consigned this interesting Orphan to
my protection, and amply do I think myself rewarded
for any attention and kindness my humble means
have enabled me to bestow upon him, in the solace of
having wrested one so amiable and helpless from
ignorance, famine, toil, and wretchedness — to become,
I trust, in future years, an ornament to civilized
society, and a useful member in the community of
intellectual life.
It is not, however, without some diffidence that I
submit my humble production to the ordeal of the
press. Yet it would ill become me to shrink from my
duty to the child of my adoption, and withhold what I
hope and trust may be for his benefit, from a dread of
displeasing the refined judgment of the critic, or of
incurring the censures of the enemies of benevolence.
I am not without the hope, also, that this little book
may assist in exciting the attention of Englishmen to
PREFACE.
the sufferings of a most interesting part of the human
family, hitherto strangely overlooked ; and that the
Boy himself may eventually become the instrument of
diffusing Christianity and peace among the remnants
of his race, the only means of saving the RED MAN
from utter extinction.
THE AUTHOR,
GROSVENOR STREET,
April, 1841,
OF THE
SEMINOLE INDIANS
" Man, only, mars kind nature's plan,
And turns the fierce pursuit on man."
SIR WALTER SCOTT.
THE Seminoles appear to be a mixed tribe,
having sprung chiefly from the wandering
Creeks and Muscogulgees, who formerly fled
the persecutions of the western districts ; they
also formed alliances in Florida with the
Appalachees, Yemassees, and others. In pro
cess of time this newly formed tribe increased
in numbers, and settled on the banks of the
Chattahoochee and Coaeta rivers, not far from
the approaching encroachments of what are
B
2
called civiziled men, or whites; unhappily,
among this class there are never wanting indi
viduals, who, from interested motives, are always
ready to foment wars and disputes between the
neighbouring Indian tribes.
Without doubt too, they themselves possess
the same laudable incitements to war which
stimulate their more enlightened brethren —
ambition, jealousy, revenge, love of conquest or
gain. From some or other of these causes the
Appalachees were induced to take up arms
against this new, but now formidable tribe, the
Seminoles ; at this time the latter held possession
of the settlements on the rivers Suwanney,
Mikkasukey, and Talahassee, while colonies
sprang up in other quarters, forming nations
equally independent, and almost as formidable
as their neighbours.
The Seminole Indians have retained all the
daring spirit and fortitude peculiar to their wild
progenitors. — In the battle-field their prowess
has ever been acknowledged by their white
enemies; arid like all brave people, much may
be said of their forbearance, previous to the
commencement of hostilities ; and of their gra
titude, even in war, to those from whom they
had formerly received kindness.
It is true that Indians have, in common with
other nations, their peculiar failings ; but I do
not hesitate to aver, that they rarely commit a
single act which comes within their code of
crimes, but at the instigation of civilized men ;
either through base example, or by the intro
duction of that poison of the mind and body,
ARDENT SPIRITS.
Formerly an Indian's word could be taken
with confidence, even for his return within a
given time, to undergo the sentence of death —
the great Regulus could have done no more —
and to this day such instances of romantic
B £
4
honour and fortitude in these uneducated sons
of the forest, are by no means rare.
They are ferocious and relentless in battle, at
times it must be confessed, sparing neither age
nor sex ; but they are early taught to estimate
every act of carnage towards their foes as a
virtue; and the very scalps produced at their
council fires, are there viewed as commendable
and honourable trophies; and are greeted by
them with as much respect as captured flags
and banners, when exhibited at the cities of
Washington or London. It must be borne in
mind, that the scalp is taken only after the
death of the vanquished, as a proof of the
success of the conqueror, and a warrior is esti
mated according to the number he possesses.
With regard to scalping, to which the Indians
attach not the least ideas of cruelty, or even
impropriety, with deep sorrow 1 avow it is not
unfrequently practised by the whites, who can
have no plea for such an act — and under cir
cumstances too, which cannot fail of exciting
our strongest disgust. Portions of skin have
been cut from the bodies of Indians, and hung
up in the houses of white men, as proofs of
prowess — portions of the same have been con
verted into razor-strops; and I once shrunk
with horror — not at the sight of a scalp, but
that such a trophy should have been exhibited by
the hand of a beautiful and highly-accomplished
girl, in a drawing room, who triumphantly
boasted that her brother had severed it from the
head of an Indian enemy ! !
It is hardly necessary to say that Indians are
as susceptible of kindness as they are revengeful
of injuries; my intimate acquaintance with
them, has inspired me with a high respect for
their social and domestic character. I will
mention one or two instances in their favour,
out of many : — At Dade's battle, one hundred
and twelve, out of one hundred and fourteen
of the white soldiers, under the command of
Major Dade, were killed. One of the survivors
was about being despatched by a Seminole,
when, after the Indian had refused the soldier's
proffered money, he recollected that he had
recently assisted him in fitting a handle to his
axe : even this simple act of civility was remem
bered by the red man, and proved the means of
saving the life of an enemy.
Another instance of gratitude in Indian life,
of a more prominent character, came under my
personal observation. Previous to the war,
many of the Seminole Tribe were in the habit
of visiting me, at my plantation, on the banks
of the river St. John. Among my red friends,
were two sub-chiefs, who, with their wives and
children, were invariably treated with that
urbanity and kindness, due to their station and
respectable deportment.
These worthy people generally came accom
panied by others of the tribe, who never failed
to bring with them some token of gratitude for
the attention shewn them by my wife and
myself; such as presents of venison, wild turkey,
&c. It was not long subsequent to this good
understanding that the war took place, and the
consequent burning and destruction of property.
The whole neighbourhood fled from the terrible
vengeance of the maltreated Indians, and I,
with others, deemed it better to abandon my
property, fearing the incursion of some of the
tribe, who might not have been aware of my
friendly feeling towards them.
Not long after the departure of myself and
family, two extensive establishments, one within
a quarter of a mile, and the other not more than
one mile from my residence, were burned to the
ground by Indians. Yet, although they came
to my house, and cooked food at my hearth,
8
they injured nothing. Five years have elapsed
since that period, and to this day my property
has suffered but by the common ravages of time
upon unoccupied buildings ; and I feel assured
I could have continued to live in safety in my
"sweet retirement" to the present moment, but
from the risk of strange Indians, whose wives
or children had fallen sacrifices to the unsparing
hands of the white dwellers upon the Indian
frontier.
Englishmen have hitherto known little or
nothing of these people ; but in defiance of all
prejudices against what are called savages-
people differing so widely in their customs and
political institutions from ourselves (which, be
it remembered, are well and wisely adapted to
their mode of life) my own experience leads me
to the conclusion, that viewing vice and crime,
as felt and acknowledged by each race — if I am
not greatly mistaken, infinitely less will be
9
found connected with that state of existence
which we are apt to look upon as inferior.
With regard to America generally, I do not
mean to imply that the feeling of prejudice
against Indians, extends throughout the United
States; on the contrary, I feel assured that
young Oceola would have been as warmly
received in New York or Boston, as he has been
in London.
The accounts of all travellers who have visited
Indians in their native wilds, as well as the
histories by the first discoverers in America,
unite in proving that the Almighty Creator of
us all, has endowed his red children with moral
and physical qualities of the highest order of
excellence ; their intelligence also is remarkable.
It is melancholy to contemplate their wasting,
to use their own language, "like snow before
the sun." They seem only to require proper
means, to recover that state of happiness they
10
possessed when unmolested and uncontaminated
by the white man.
Before the "Armed Boot" supplanted the
Moccassin on the shores of America, their's
appears to have been a "golden age" — un
restrained by laws of any denomination, their
actions were guided solely by the dictates of
virtue — crime was then unknown — and when
the bonds of society were in the least violated,
to have merited the contempt of a high-souled,
chivalric people, was sufficient punishment for
the offender; and such is the state of society, as
it at present exists among those tribes who
dwell near the base of the Rocky Mountains,
who have not yet come under the pale of
civilization.
Mr. Catlin, in his interesting lectures upon
"the manners and customs of the North
American Indians," describes the primitive
tribes as ignorant of vice of any description ; he
11
dwelt many years among them, and declares,
that during the whole period he was universally
treated with hospitality and kindness — that
they never stole from him to the value of a
shilling; but that on his parting with them,
they loaded him with presents, and consigned
him to the care of the " Great Spirit."
My fancy is always fired, and my imagination
kindles, as I dwell upon the wrongs and sorrows
of these people.
Notwithstanding the vices which have been
introduced among the Seminoles, there is some
thing in the erect and manly form — in the
proud bearing and confident demeanour, and in
the graceful movements of the males, which
impresses the eye of the beholder, and seems to
remind him that they are the legitimate pro
prietors of the soil, from which their more
enlightened neighbours are endeavouring to
eject them.
A cursory glance at the policy pursued by
the American Government, and by individuals
towards the aborigines of this country, will
convince the most indifferent observer that
they have been unjustly used, and basely
calumniated.
Some apology may be found for the present
generations in Florida, in the circumstance, that
they or their immediate ancestors have suffered
much in their struggles and desperate encounters
with them, while preparing for themselves a
home in the wilderness ; and it is natural that
they should feel risings of indignation against
a race of men, with whom they have been
almost constantly at war ; since, at such times,
men are not accustomed to regard the justice
or injustice of the origin of their quarrels, but
throw the burden of blame upon their enemies.
But when a few more centuries shall have
passed away — when the tales of cruelty practised
13
upon present and former generations shall have
become mitigated and softened by the lapse of
time — when the present excited feelings shall
have subsided, and when distance from the scene
shall have mellowed down the light reflected
from the funeral pyres, erected by the Red Man
for their civilized encroachers — then will pos
terity view them in their true light, — and future
ages, instead of wondering at their "inhuman
barbarities," will be more surprised that one of
them continued an ally of the whites, or that
one magnanimous or generous deed was ever
extended towards the intruders on their soil.
If the Indians were cruel — posterity will see
that they were cruelly provoked by those claim
ing to be Christians ;— If they were revengeful —
that they only followed the example of the
white man, who not only indulged in the same
unhallowed passions, but who added avarice,
rapine, and debauchery to their list of crimes.
14
If the Red Man retaliated injuries, the provoca
tion had been tenfold on the part of the whites ;
who pursued them on their own soil, and through
their native forests, with all the rapacity with
which the half famished wolf pursues his prey.
1 know of no objects that have a higher claim
upon the sympathies of the world, than the
remnants of these, once formidable tribes,
scattered over the broad surface of America;
now fast disappearing before the onward march
of emigration and civilization. How striking
the contrast ! These men, lords of the soil
they once held undisputed as their birthright,
— where they roamed in all the majesty of
uncultivated, yet, noble human nature—are now
become objects of oppression and extermination.
We shudder when we call to mind, tales to
which we listened in early boyhood, of Indian
cruelties ; but can our riper years find no pal
liation ? Read the language of the Red Man,
15
and then say if his cruelties were ever commen
surate with the ingratitude of the whites. — "We
took you by the hand " say they, " and bade you
welcome to sit down by our side, and live with
us as brothers — but how did you requite our
kindness ? You at first asked only a little of our
land — we gave it — you requested more — it was
given, — but not satisfied with this, you would
monopolize the game of our forest — you seized
upon all our most pleasant places, and drove us
from the hunting and burial grounds of our
sires!"
Their language is emphatically true; although
by the laws of nations, the discoverers of this
Continent claimed a right to take possession and
plant colonies in the, then, wilds of America ;
they were cruelly unjust to seize upon the places
which had been to the Indians the homes of
their ancestors, and had descended to themselves.
As they slowly and sullenly retired from "their
16
pleasant places," the whites pressed hard upon
them, and ever since the day they first granted
them a " little land," they have been following
their retreating footsteps, like the advancing
billows of an angry ocean.
When we reproach the Indians with in
humanity in their mode of warfare— do we
reflect that they are but uncivilized men, — that
their ideas of right are rendered sacred by practice
and tradition, handed down from time imme
morial? If civilized nations rise as one man,
when their rights are invaded or their territories
encroached upon ; is it matter of surprise that
untaught Indians turn their tomahawks against
the whites, when they endeavour to deprive
them of that which they regarded as most sacred
and dear?
As for cruelty, you will in vain search for
examples among the traditions and annals of the
past, to exceed those imposed upon the Red Man
17
by the Whites, or to which their Indian allies
have been instigated and encouraged; through
which means, they sought to rid themselves of
the odium of barbarity.
In reading of the rise and fall of civilized
nations, with all the attendant wrongs and
oppressions, our indignation becomes excited.
Yet a relation of the wrongs and usurpations of
civilized men over the confiding Indians of
America, is a relation far more replete with
cruelty — they have not only been deprived of
their rights, but have been degraded in soul and
body, and now, alas ! are fading away, forgotten,
to their graves, or, if perchance remembered —
only to be stigmatized as "brutal savages."
It may be necessary, before we give an account
of the family of the young Prince, to observe,
that no name is ever bestowed by Indians, upon
a young Iste-Chatti, or Red Child, without
some particular meaning attached to it ; which
18
name, is often changed in after years, to one
corresponding better to the age or circum
stances of maturity ; thus an infant may be
called Green-bush, from its having first drawn
breath beneath that verdant screen of nature.
Another will be named Oceola, Rising Sun
— Hutte-chumba, Evening-Star — Nathle-oce,
Setting Moon — according to the time of its
birth. And when arrived at u Man's Estate,"
in consequence of some peculiarity or physical
structure, he will be spoken of as, Ulwe,
tall — Chatqua, small — Saputhatkee, light; or
by some act of heroism, either with a human
enemy or one no less ferocious, he may be
invested with a more formidable appellation,
as, Catsha, tiger— Yaha, wolf — Halputta, alli
gator, &c.
The meaning of Nikkanochee, the name con
ferred upon the subject of this narrative by his
Indian relations, I have hitherto been unable
19
to discover. Oceola and Econchatti, I have
added to his given name, that he may bear in
remembrance, he is nephew and son of two of
the most noble and distinguished Chiefs, the
Floridas perhaps ever yet produced.
20
THE CHIEF OCEOLA.
" The steady brain, the sinewy limb,
To leap, to climb, to dive, to swim;
The iron frame, inured to bear
Each dire inclemency of air."
SIB WALTER SCOTT.
"Brief, brave, and glorious was his young career."
BYBON,
From the preceding account of the Seminole
Indians, my reader will be in some measure
prepared for the introduction of a character of
the greatest renown in Florida ; of whom, both
as a man and as a warrior, but one opinion is
entertained by his friends and his enemies.
Conspicuous among his own nation for his
courage and his bodily strength, he rendered
himself no less the terror of the pale-faces
during war, than he was universally known to
M
' '»" **'»"*'* *•'*'*
0 CE OLA cKe CELEBRATED CHIEF of tLe SEMLNOLE S ,
UNCLE TO PRINCE ECONCHATTI.
Jubhskei "by -Baf chard. *
21
have been generous and kind, previous to the
commencement of hostilities — he was a husband
and a father, but all that is known of his family,
subsequent to his death, is, that they, with
other Indian prisoners, underwent the sentence
of banishment to the " Far West."
It is gratifying to know, that at present at
least, a scion from so noble a stock has been
saved from the ruthless destroyers of himself
and his tribe; the boy whom I have been the
happy means of preserving, being the son of
Oceola's sister.
It has frequently been asserted in the United
States of America, that Oceola, the great
Master Spirit of the Seminoles, was of mixed
blood. Some have declared him to be half
Spanish — others that his father was an English
man, named Powel — another has given the
honor of his being, to a Scotchman, whilst some
have asserted that he received an education at
22
the Military College at West Point, in the State
of New York, and consequently that he was
thoroughly conversant with the English lan
guage. The tribe from which this renowned
Chief sprang, has heen as freely discussed ; some
have attributed his birth to the Creek nation —
others to the Mikkasookies, and a few to the
Cherokees.
From the warm interest I have at all times
taken in matters concerning Indians, I have
been induced to investigate cautiously, their
manners, customs and history. The former, are
open to any observing character, who will be at
the pains of visiting them in their abodes, when
not engaged in war. When at peace, they are
kind and hospitable, and are willing to impart
any information to the curious traveller. Their
history is but little known, owing to the few
intelligent whites, who are sufficiently acquaint
ed with their language. Yet, almost every one,
23
who has in any manner, associated with Indians,
pretends to a knowledge of their general charac
ter, and is proud to be considered a good
authority.
Judging from all I have been enabled to learn
of the Chief Oceola from other Indians, and
from respectable white men, who knew him
from childhood, he was undoubtedly, a tho
rough-bred Seminole. I am borne out in this
opinion by Mr. Catlin, who is probably, better
acquainted with the physical, as well as moral
structure of these people, than any other white
man living ; he painted an excellent likeness of
this celebrated warrior, only four days previous
to his death, in a prison at Charleston, South
Carolina: which picture, stands conspicuous
amidst hundreds of other portraits of Indians,
in the elaborate collection, now exhibiting at
the Egyptian Hall. Mr. Catlin, of course, had
as fair an opportunity of forming a judgment,
24
by the countenance of Oceola, as most men ; he
informs me, that his general appearance, and
character, was that of a thorough-bred wild
Indian, and that he did not seem, even to com
prehend the English language.
But little became known to the white inhabi
tants of America, of the valorous spirit of
Oceola, until the commencement of the unhappy
Seminolee war, previous to which, when only a
youth, he had distinguished himself among his
own people, in some severe battles with the
neighbouring tribes.
In the intermediate space of time, he seems
to have led the wandering, careless life of a
hunter, when his only opportunities of signal
izing himself, were in his perilous encounters
with the prowling monsters of the forest, to
which he often proved a mortal enemy.
It was not until the latter end of the year
3835. that the energies of Oceola were roused
25
into full vigor. At this time an effort was
made by the Pseudo-Americans — the whites, —
to expatriate the true lords of the soil, from the
homes of their fathers, and send them away to
the " far west ;*' where thousands had already
perished by change of climate, grief, or dissen-
tions with the different tribes, who had been
mercilessly huddled together by treacherous
mock treaties, on lands insufficient in extent
and quality, to supply game and other neces
saries, on which, they had hitherto depended
in the more congenial climes of the South;
consequently wars ensued among themselves,
which, with the aid of whiskey, plentifully
supplied by their Christian neighbours, soon
reduced their numbers.
In December, 1835, a meeting or "Talk,"
as it is expressed by Indians, was held at Camp
King, at which two hundred and fifty red
warriors assembled, met by a battalion of white
soldiers, under command of General Clinch, who
was accompanied by several other officers of
distinction.
A council of Indians, held in their native
wilds, upon the green carpet of nature, under
the broad canopy of heaven, is, to a reflecting
mind, a spectacle replete with solemnity and
interest. The wide expanding, densely-foliaged
oak, from whose thousand branches, hang in the
beauty of neglected nature, in festoons and
strips of many feet, the moss, peculiar to the
southern States of North America — the stately
pine — the sturdy hickory — and the splendid
magnolia — all lend their aid to blend in the coup
d'ceil, a fitting place for purpose deep.
In scenes similar to this, the chiefs and elders
meet to determine the course to be adopted in
all cases of emergency ; here the small remnant
of a powerful and warlike tribe, met to decide
upon peace or war, in which millions of civilized
27
men, with all the arts and implements of battle,
were pitted against a few hundreds of poor
persecuted Indians.
On one side of the conclave alluded to, sat in
purse-proud state, General Wiley Thompson,
one of those subtle minions of power, who are
appointed by Congress, as agents from the
United States, to treat with Indians for purchase
or exchange of lands ; at the same time he is
expected to protect the tribe, he thus becomes
attached to, from wrongs and oppressions of the
neighbouring whites, and report to the go
vernment a true and impartial statement of the
negociation he is empowered to conduct.
This appointment would be considered, by
one unacquainted with the general character of
Indian agents, a post of some respectability, and
so it may be, when occupied by honest men ;
but in this instance, General Thompson opened
a shop, for the purpose of trading with the
28
aborigines, from which he issued Whiskey,
Tomahawks, Spears, Gunpowder, and Rifles;
thus providing in the first place, an incentive to
their no less deadly weapons ; in exchange for
Otter-skins, Deer-skins, and Cattle-hides ; arti
cles easily conveyed to a northern market, by
which he accumulated considerable wealth.
Independently of this villainous mode of traffic,
wherein the Seminoles were invariably cheated,
he employed many in laborious occupations, a
neglect of which, insured them severe chastise
ment, summarily executed, by twisted strips of
hide, applied to the bare skin, whilst the poor
•victim of oppression was bound to a tree. But
the day of vengeance was at hand : — the very
Rifle which Thompson had gratuitously pre
sented to Oceola, with a view to conciliate him
for cruelties inflicted upon his fellows, was the
weapon, by which he expiated his manifold sins
against this generous people.
29
After a preliminary address from General
Clinch, seconded by General Thompson, setting
forth the advantages of the treaty they wished
to enforce, and to which some of the Indian
Chiefs replied in their beautiful figurative
language ; a deed of contract, binding the Semi-
noles to give up their lands in Florida, to the
United States' government, in exchange for
others in a distant country, was placed upon the
table, and application made to the principal
warriors, to attach their + thereunto. An
imbecile old Chief, called Enematkla, was the
first to declare himself a traitor to his tribe, by
affixing his sign-manual ; he was followed by
a few others of inferior grade, until it was sub
mitted to Oceola, who, with all the pride of
offended dignity thus offered to himself and his
countrymen, with indignation sparkling in his
eye, and a contemptuous curl of the lip, drew
from his bosom a dagger, and with a countenance
30
that seemed to strike terror into all by whom he
was opposed, he hurled the trusty steel with such
force into the hateful document, that it passed
fairly through the table — exclaiming at the same
time, " THERE IS MY MARK ! ! "
" All was so quick that it might seem,
" A flash of lightning, or a dream."
General Clinch thought this a clincher; Wiley
Thompson looked more wily, and all the sur
rounding white men grew whiter ; each stood
aghast in astonishment, as the undaunted young
hero firmly gripped the handle of his deeply
buried weapon, and bade defiance to all the
fully armed warriors, by whom he was encircled.
For this novel mode of signing with a steel pen,
by which matters were so speedily brought to a
point9 Oceola was immediately seized upon, and
so tightly bound to a tree, that the cords by
which he was confined, cut deeply into the flesh ;
31
evidences of which were clearly exhibited when
Mr. Catlin painted his likeness, two years sub
sequent to this disgraceful transaction. After
being half suspended in this torturing position
forty-eight hours, he was released to undergo
the full penalty of his temerity : iron fetters now
usurped the place of ropes, and solitary confine
ment was added to his overflowing cup of misery !
but nought at this time, could subdue the
indomitable spirit of this high-souled Chief; he
spurned their shackles, as he had defied their
hempen bonds, and in all probability would
have perished, rather than have yielded to such
inhuman oppression ; but he reflected that the
fate of his tribe depended, in a great measure,
upon his presence among them. This feeling
of affection for his country, and his kindred,
alone induced him to feign contrition for the
alleged offence he had offered to the heads of a
people calling themselves Christians.
32
In full confidence, that the cruelties inflicted
upon Oceola, would operate as a warning to
others of his tribe, he was liberated. It
was not likely, that a soul sufficiently daring
to have acted as he had done, could readily
forgive the indignities so recently heaped upon
him : no sooner was the captive free, than, with
his companions in arms, who waited anxiously
to receive him, he caused the deep forest to re
echo the well known WAR-WHOOP, as a signal for
hostilities.
Enamatkla was forthwith shot as a traitor, and
General Wiley Thompson, with five others who
had the misfortune to be with him at the time,
fell before their unerring rifles. Oceola first
despatching Thompson, with the rifle I before
stated he had offered as a present, to conciliate
his determined enemy.
Oceola now sent a negro to General Clinch,
to inform him that he possessed 150 barrels of
33
gunpowder, which should all be consumed
before his people could be conquered, and that
he would lead the cheating * pale-faces ' a dance
of five years, for their insolence towards himself
and his warriors.
Although the brave Oceola did not live to
see his prediction fulfilled, of leading the "pale
faces a dance of five years," yet true enough,
this little band of warriors have maintained
their ground for the time specified ; at the loss
of upwards of eighteen hundred men, and an
expense of more than six millions sterling to
the United States. In the battle of Ouithla-
coochee, Oceola was known to have fought with
desperate valour. At the same time that the
woods resounded with peals of musketry, and
the fierce, sharp cracks of the Indian rifles,
accompanied by appalling war-whoops ; his voice
was distinctly heard, calling to his warriors
D
"Take away the wounded, never mind the
dead!"
At Dade's battle, as it is denominated by the
Americans, one hundred and twelve of the
whites were killed by Indians, only two escaping
out of one hundred and fourteen. These soldiers,
commanded by Major Dade, were marching,
fully armed, attended by a six-pounder cannon
drawn by oxen, and a waggon containing arms
and ammunition, through the heart of an
enemy's country. Yet the killing of these
men by the Seminoles, is stigmatized as a
Horrible Massacre, and the memory of Dade
revered as a martyr. — At the same time, unarmed
Red Men, with their wives and children, were
daily slaughtered — these were Glorious Achieve
ments !
When the remains of Major Dade and his
soldiers were discovered by the Americans,
many days after this unfortunate circumstance.
35
it was remarked, that not a single article of
value was taken from the bodies — watches and
valuable rings were found upon the officers,
unmolested. The savage spurns to rob the
dead ! How many of these ornaments would
have remained upon the bodies of Indians,
under similar circumstances ?
During a series of battles, in which the whites
were invariably repulsed, Oceola signalized
himself for good generalship and courage, and
if, at. any time he had recourse to stratagem, he
was fully authorized in so doing, by the frequent
treacherous attempts, made by his enemies, to
entrap him.
On the 6th of October, 1836, the garrison at
Fort Drane was so reduced for provisions, having
been besieged for a length of time by the
Indians, that the white troops were glad to hold
a parley with Oceola, and invited him, through
Captain Hitchcock, with a flag of truce, to
36
approach the fort In full confidence he came,
attended by three hundred warriors ; when he
informed the Captain that he knew the soldiers
were in a desperate state, bordering upon star
vation, and that, at that moment, they were
subsisting upon the flesh of horses and dogs ; at
the same time, he generously offered his enemies
an ox and some brandy.
During this conference, General Clinch ap
peared with a strong reinforcement, and made
an essay to capture the generous Oceola and his
warriors, in defiance of the flag of truce, which
he must have seen, as he was near enough to
fire upon the Indians.
The liberty of this heroic young warrior was
not of long endurance — one year more, and his
brilliant career closed forever! October 20th,
1837, was a day appointed for Oceola to meet
General Hernandez, with a view to form some
arrangement, by which this unjust war might
.37
be brought to a close. Accordingly, Oceola
again appeared under a flag of truce, when, as
is briefly described in a Florida newspaper —
" General Jessup so arranged the soldiers under
command of General Hernandez ; that, at a
preconcerted signal, the ivholc of Oceola s band
should be surrounded ; which ruse de guerre was
performed to admiration; when the crest-fallen
hero of the Seminoles and his partizans laid
down their rifles." This statement is false — the
Indians had not laid down their rifles, but had,
according to agreement with General Hernandez,
placed them against a lree> and as soon as the
white troops showed themselves, they were
immediately seized upon, leaving the Indians
defenceless.
Thus fell into the hands of their treacherous
enemies, the renowned, the brave, the good
Oceola, with upwards of eighty of his principal
38
warriors, together with his wife and son (a
young boy) and two other Indian women.
tl The eagle-plumes droop o'er his piercing eyes,
The fire of youth was there ; —
The fire of youth still brightened the look,
But their lustre was dimm'd by despair.'*
M. A. w.
Never was a more disgraceful piece of villainy
perpetrated in a civilized land — the Americans
have no plea, by which they can justify such a
violation of the law of nations. As they had,
throughout the war, and on all previous occasions,
acknowledged the Seminoles as an independent
people, by forming treaties with them, and
receiving their chiefs as ambassadors, the govern
ment of the United States could not have
considered them as rebels.
Poor Oceola! with his wife and child, and
his brave followers, was confined but a short
time in the fort at St. Augustine, in East Florida ;
39
when, for the better security of the victims,
the government ordered their removal to Sul
livan's Island, near Charleston, and there — in a
dungeon — the spirit of Oceola fled for ever !
There was a touching commentary on woman's
worth, displayed in the dying hour of the
Seminole Chieftain. The stern warrior, who
had passed through life without having, in
appearance, done aught to win the imperishable
love of devoted woman, yet expired with his
head pillowed on a female bosom.
Cold as the heart of the savage is supposed to
be, in regard to the social and domestic feelings,
the death-couch of Oceola yields triumphant
evidence of the Indian's submission to the sway
of the affections.
A captive, and to add to the bitterness of
imprisonment, treacherously captured — smarting
under a sense of his nation's many wrongs —
feeling, that with his death was lost the sole
40
chance for the deliverance of his people, from
the avaricious power of the white man. It may
well be conceived, that the soul of the Chief was
filled with emotion, and that he had but few
feelings to spare, in exercises of the love and
sympathies of life.
But the power of woman mastered the keen re
membrances of the Indian's manifold grievances,
and the voice of his faithful wife, as she wiped
from his brow the death damps, fell gratefully
and soothingly upon the ebbing senses of the
captive.
In witnessing the entire devotion, and patient
love of his too wretched wife, the Indian forgot
his injuries, and the indomitable spirit, so often
flashing in the van of battle, passed away, with
a murmur of love to her, the companion of his
freedom, and the sharer of his prison !
41
DIRGE BY SEMINOLE WARRIORS.
Signed — LESLIE.
Go to thy rest, —
Not where the green and tall magnolias bow,
Slowly and solemnly their lofty crests —
Above the violet grass we lay thee now !
Not where the pine
With dreary sighing answered back thy tread,
When forest dwellers made beneath its shrine,
The ancient places of their silent dead, —
Not where the stream
Beneath the arching wild vine, whispers low,
With spirit- voices— when the sun's last beam
Falls, where it bathes the warrior's dust — we go.
To thy dark bed
We would not, that their music's wail should come,
Nor see them bend the plumed and glittering head,
In stately mourning to the deep-toned drum.
They mock us well, —
With banner waving, and that hollow sound,
Long pealing from the battlements, to tell
That thou, our brave, hast ransom found.
Why should they grieve,
E'en while their pale blood curdles to the heart,
Beside thy grave, — that thou their bonds canst leave,
And to our fathers' hunting fields depart ?*
We do not weep —
The Red Man hath no tear to shed for thee, —
Smiling, we gaze upon the dreamless sleep,
The fortress broken, and the captive free.
Hither we bring,
Ere yet this earth on thy cold brow we lay,
Thy Boy, — for one wild moment here to cling,
In love's first sorrow, to those lips of clay.
Bend low and near, —
Nor sigh, or moan must break our Chief's repose —
Yet, Boy — on thy young heart be written here,
A deep and burning memory of his foes !
We ask not fame, —
We call not vengeance for the faith we gave ;
Trace in the language of your land his name,
And show your sons the SEMINOLE'S GRAVE.
* Indians believe that if they are brave and good in this
world, they will be rewarded in the next by being placed in
excellent hunting grounds.
43
The sympathy of the Americans for the death
of Oceola ran so high, that they buried him
with military honours due to a general; and,
with a tardy appreciation of his character, indi
cative more of a puling sentimentality, than a
love of justice, or admiration of his worth, they
exalt their victim into a hero of romance.
Oceola was interred at Fort Moultrie, near
Charleston ; — over his grave is a handsome mar
ble monument, on which is inscribed
OCEOLA.
I cannot take leave of this melancholy part of
the narrative, without laying before my readers
another beautiful piece of poetry, written by
Alfred Street, an American ; which, like the
last, is full of fire, and breathes a manly and
generous feeling towards the departed hero.
PART I.
The rich blue sky is o'er,
Around are the tall green trees,
And the jessamine's breath from the everglade
Is borne on the wandering breeze.
On the mingled grass and flowers
Is a fierce and threat'ning form,
That looks like an eagle when pluming his wing
To brave the gathering storm.
His rifle within his grasp —
The bright plume o'er his head —
His features are clothed with a warrior's pride,
And he moves with a monarch's tread.
He bends his listening ear,
He peers through the tangled screen,
And he smiles with joy, as the flash of steel
Through the everglade's grass is seen.
One wave of his stalwart arm,
Wild forms around him stand,
And his eye glares bright with triumphant light,
As he looks at his swarthy band.
Nearer the bayonets' gleam —
At the edge of the * hammock now,
The pale- face ranks are rallying,
But they seek in vain the foe.
They see in that lovely scene
But the humming-bird o'er the flowers,
And the glittering wing of the paroquet
In the cool and fragrant bowers.
But hark! from the cypress shade, —
From the bay-tree's glossy leaves,
And the nooks where the vine from bough to bough,
Its serpentine festoon weaves ; —
The loud, shrill warwhoops burst
On the soft and sleeping air,
And quick, bright darts of surrounding death
Are fearfully glancing there.
The eagle with fierce delight
Abroad has his pinions cast,
And he shrinks as he bathes in the crimson rain,
And sweeps through the whizzing blast.
* A hammock, or hummock, is a dense wood with thick jungle or
under-brush.
46
The battle-storm is o'er —
The hammock is reeking red—
But who looks there with victorious smile,
On the heaps of the pale-face dead ?
Tis a tribe's young warrior Chief !
The deeds of whose vengeful flame,
Have filled the ear of a mighty land
With the terror of his name.
PART II.
In a dark and dungeon room
Is stretched a mighty form,
And it shakes in its dreadful agony,
Like a leaf in the autumn storm.
No pillar'd palmetto hangs
Its tuft in the clear, bright air;
But a sorrowing group, and the narrow wall,
And a smouldering hearth are there.
The white froth on his lip,
His trembling, gasping breath, —
And the hollow rattle in his throat,
Proclaim the conqueror — death.
'Tis the proud, victorious Chief,
Who smiled ' mid the pale-face slain ;
' Tis the eagle that swept through the whizzing blast,
And bathed in the crimson rain.
For his own green forest home,
He had struggled long and well ;
But the soul that had breasted a nation's arms
At the touch of a fetter, fell.
He had worn wild freedom's crown
On his bright, unconquered brow,
Since he first saw the light of his beautiful skies :
It was gone for ever now !
But still, in his last dread hour,
Did not bright visions come !
Bright visions that shed a golden gleam
On the darkness of his doom ?
They calm'd his throbbing pulse,
And they hung on his muttering breath ;
The spray thrown up from life's frenzied flood
Plunging on to the gulf of death.
The close walls shrunk away ; —
Above was the stainless sky,
And the lakes, with their floating isles of flowers,
Spread glittering to his eye.
O'er his hut the live-oak spread
Its branching, gigantic shade,
With its dots of leaves, and its robes of moss,
Broad, blackening on the glade.
48
But a sterner sight is round,
Battle's wild torrent is there, —
The tomahawk gleams, and the red blood streams,
And the war-whoops rend the air.
At the head of his faithful band,
He peals forth his terrible cry,
As he fiercely leaps 'mid the slaughtered heaps
Of the foe, that but fought to die.
One gasp — and the eye is glazed,
And still is the stiffening clay ;
The eagle soul of the Chief had passed
On the battle's flood away !
CAPTAIN GRAHAM AND NATHLEOCEE.
" What is country — name — fame — fortune—*
When all powerful love steps in,
And wages war against them ?"
I digress so far from the course of my nar
rative, as to introduce two personages, who may
appear very much in the characters of a hero
and heroine of romance ; still, the circumstances
of which I am about to speak, are facts, related
to me by one intimately acquainted with
Captain Graham, and by whom the following
interesting tale was communicated.
John Graham, about three years previous to
the Seminole war, arrived in St. Augustine, a
E
50
Lieutenant in a regiment of dragoons, where
many a fair "southerner" sighed for the tall,
athletic, yet graceful form of the fair-haired
Officer, whose highly-polished manners corres
ponded well with his manly beauty ; but the
heart of young Graham was not to be taken by
all the combined allurements of beauty, wealth,
or high accomplishments. In vain they whirled
the giddy mazes of the dance, or tried the more
fascinating charms of music — he withstood the
siege of a hundred gazelle eyes — yet remained
firm and unsubdued, until ordered to the frontier
encampment, on the Indian boundary line.
Here, in the wilds of nature, Graham felt a
passion for the charms of perfect freedom in
sylvan life. He remembered many tales in the
romantic history of Scotland, the land of his
forefathers, of clans headed by Chiefs of his own
name, and compared their rude character with
the Indians, with whom he was now destined
51
to hold frequent intercourse ; he was surprised
to find a striking similarity in dress, and many
of their manners and customs, to those of the
ancient Highlanders.
He sought their society, and soon selected a
young Chief, at this time of no great notoriety,
as his friend, and almost constant companion.
This bold and hardy warrior, then about the
same age as himself, was no other than Oceola,
whose subsequent deeds of valour and military
discretion, astonished, and at the same time,
struck admiration into the hearts of his enemies.
These young heroes soon established a friend
ship of no ordinary character — their hearts
became as thoroughly amalgamated, as welded
gold and silver — together they followed the
chase, and many were " the hair- breadth 'scapes "
and toils endured by these singularly contrasted
specimens of civilized refinement, and rude, yet
haughty grandeur of savage life.
52
Than Graham, a more perfect specimen of
manly beauty — chivalric bearing— and gentle
manly deportment, could seldom be realized —
few maidens could have resisted the soft blan
dishments of his addresses.
Oceola was tall, and of a spare habit — his
limbs were well proportioned, and his complexion
of the olive-red peculiar to his tribe— his features
were not decidedly handsome, yet on scruti
nizing his face, there was nothing with which
one could be dissatisfied— his teeth were regular
— his nose rather Grecian than otherwise — but
the eye! *« that herald of the soul" — was, in
itself, constituted to command; when under
excitement, it flashed fury and stern resolve-
but when aiding its alluring ally, the well-
formed mouth, in a smile— it warmed the very
heart of its beholder with its beams of kindness.
It was on one of those glowing evenings of
the sunny south, when the clouds are gilded in
53
splendour, to await the departing god of light —
after a hard day's toil, in pursuit of a tiger,
which at last fell wounded by the rifle of
Graham, and was finally despatched by the
tomahawk of his swarthy friend, that the young
officer first experienced the witchery of love,
Wearied and feverish from excitement, in a
climate to which his system had scarcely yet
become reconciled, he gladly accepted the prof
fered hammock of netted grass, suspended by
Nathleocee, Oceola's niece, beneath the umbra
geous, wide-spreading branches of a large oak
tree, from whose limbs hung the graceful, yet
melancholy looking moss — at times in festoons,
at others, falling in perpendicular masses, to the
length of eight or ten feet ; forming a drapery,
infinitely surpassing, in beauty and splendour,
all the richest and most elaborate works of art
In this simple, yet ingeniously constructed
aerial couch, the young hunter reposed his wenry
54
limbs, whilst Nathleocee watched his disturbed
sleep, and amused her busy fancy with bis
delirious mutterings, in a language she could
not comprehend ; whilst she carefully, with a
fan made from the feathers of the pinnawaw, or
wild turkey, brushed away the intrusive mos
quitoes, or the no less annoying sand flies.
After a few hours repose, Captain Graham
awoke refreshed, and turning his still half-closed
eyes, they rested upon a face of beauty, of so
peculiar a character, and in such perfect accord
ance with his own romantic disposition, that his
very soul felt suddenly a thrill he had never
hitherto experienced. Beside him stood, in
blushing modesty, a perfect child of nature —
her dazzling black eyes flashing fire, under an
excitement entirely new to her unsophisticated
and primitive constitution — she felt abashed,
yet knew not why — whilst Gaaham drank deep
and largely at the first spring of love, and
55
dwelt with rapture upon the perfect symmetry
of her form, as she leaned against the huge
trunk of the oak under whicli he had slept.
" Her raven hair, half wreathed, descended,
And o'er her face like shadows blended,
Half veiling charms of fairer hue,
Than ever forest daughter knew.
Such looks ne'er decked the fairest child ; —
Ne'er bloomed such cheeks in forest wild."
Nathleocee possessed not only a face of love
liness, but a form, which might vie in beauty of
proportion with the most exquisite productions
of the Roman or Grecian sculptor.
Her costume was such as would shock the
refined modesty of the more intellectual class of
white females, but nature knows no shame but
that of sin, and assuredly, if virtue consists in
purity of thought, sentiment, or action — this
artless girl was pure as the fountain which daily
reflected her unrivalled charms.
56
The upper part of her form, according to the
custom of her tribe, was left uncovered — her
long black hair floated to the winds, unbraided,
over her finely proportioned shoulders — and as
the zephyrs caught the unconfined tresses, they
would play upon a bust, Venus herself might
have proudly owned. Her head was surmounted
by a tuft of feathers, plucked from the wings
of the snow-white Oartolo, or virgin crane ;
interspersed with those of the gaudy crimson
flamingo — the whole confined by pearls of value,
collected among the islands at the southern
extremity of the peninsula of Florida
She wore a skirt of chassee, or fawn's skin, of
the softest texture, which was embroidered with
minute sea shells, interspersed with pearls of
rare beauty and extraordinary magnitude, and
further ornamented with strips of ermine skins,
and a variety of feathers of the richest hue.
This Hukkasykee, as it is denominated in the
57
Seminole language, extended from her waist
to a little below her knees.
Her beautifully formed legs were encased in
Uphetaikas, also made of chassee, ornamented at
the outsides by a double row of beads — a pair of
prettily worked Mocassins, or Indian shoes,
made to correspond with other portions of her
dress, completed the attire of the Chieftain's niece.
Nathleocee was the orphan daughter of a
neighbouring King, who had been killed in
battle ; from infancy she had been reared and
cherished by her uncle, with all the fond affection
which a noble-minded man feels for a lovely
object looking up to him for protection. She
was scarcely seventeen when Graham became
enamoured of her extraordinary sylvan charms.
With all the natural grace and dignity of one
born free as the bounding fawn of the wilderness,
she combined the retiring modesty, and feminine
timidity of a girl just blushing into womanhood
58
—there was, withal, an arch playfulness, which
caused the heart of many a young Seminole
warrior to bound with rapture, when her piercing
black eyes chanced to rest upon him.
Although she loved her " Hadke-tustenuggee,"
or white warrior, as Captain Graham was called
throughout the Seminole nation, still she con
ceived it a degradation to be allied to an Iste-
hadke, or white man ; but at length yielded to
his continued importunities, and they were
married, according to the forms and ceremonies
of the Seminole Indians.
Three successive seasons produced as many
offspring to gladden the hearts of the affectionate
parents— then came a withering blight upon
their hopes of future happiness — the fond wife
was destined to be separated by the rude hand
of war, from her husband, and the father, from
his children.
59
Hostilities were about to commence, and
Graham was ordered by Oceola to quit the
Indian dominions, with a threat, that should he
again appear among them until the war with
the whites had terminated, he would assuredly
put him to death ; it being customary on these
occasions, for an Indian to sacrifice his dearest
friend with his own hand, if found arrayed
against the tribe to which he belongs. But, as
a manifestation of his regard for his former friend
and companion, on taking an affectionate leave of
Graham, he pulled a white plume from his own
head dress, and placed it in the military helmet
of the young officer, telling him to wear it
whenever he came into battle with the Seminoles,
at the same time assuring him that he would
give orders throughout the nation, that this
insignia should be his protection !
The white warrior could not so easily control
his affections, and in spite of the mandate of
60
Oceola, he again ventured into the vicinity of
the wigwam which contained his wife and
children. It was not long before an opportunity
was afforded him of beholding her he loved.
Nathleocee was on her way to visit the bank of
a clear stream, beside which, under the shade of
a wide-spreading magnolia, whose perfumes
seemed like holy incense to their loves, the
young couple had first exchanged their vows
of pure affection.
No sooner had her keen eye discerned the
tall, manly figure of her husband, than she
prostrated herself upon the earth, hiding her
beauteous face within her hands, and the most
endearing entreaties could not extort from her
a single word or look.
The rigid rules of obedience to her guardian,
and honour to her tribe, forbade her to bestow
upon Graham the smallest sign of love or recog
nition. Sooner would she have sacrificed her
61
children and herself, than have gratified, by a
single glance, the man who was sole lord of her
affections.
Finding Nathleocee inexorable to all his im
passioned entreaties, Graham left her to join his
regiment ; soon after which he was seen in the
hottest of the fight at the battle of Ouithla-
coochee, with the white plume waving in his
helmet — but amidst such a shower of rifle balls
and arrows, we are not surprised that he was
unintentionally wounded, although not severely.
Soon after this engagement he retired from the
army, disdaining to draw his sword against a
people he could not but love, and with whom he
strongly sympathized, for their manifold wrongs
and oppressions.
This unhappy princess, with her children,
was subsequently taken prisoner, and confined
in the fort of St. Augustine, while her husband
was on a visit to his friends in New York.
62
From St. Augustine, this desolate family was
removed, with other Indian captives, and trans
ported to the " far west/' — there, probably, to
perish, either by grief, change of climate, or
starvation.
63
OF THE
PARENTS
OF
PRINCE ECONCHATTI
" Hail, king ! for so thou art."
SHAKSPERE.
ECONCHATTI-MICO.
Little more is known by white people of
Econchatti, the father of the young prince, than
that he was, previous to the war, King of the
Red-hills, in the Seminole country ; he does not
appear ever to have much distinguished himself
as a warrior ; as at this time, so important to the
interests of the Florida Indians, he gave up the
command of his braves to his youthful and
64
aspiring brother in law, Oceola ; in this step
manifesting much discernment and good sense —
still it must be acknowledged, that with Indians,
so much discretion and prudence prevail in war,
that not much is known to their enemies of
their government, either civil or military, until
the Tomahawk is buried, and the Calumet of
peace has been reciprocally smoked by both
contending parties.
It seems, however, common enough among
them for the command to be assumed, during
war, by that chief who has had the greatest
opportunities of signalizing himself, and who,
in general, on the return of peace, retires to his
post ; resuming, with the rest of the young men,
their habits of submission to the representatives
of the families of the hereditary sovereigns ;
who, over the whole North American continent,
are held in the greatest respect.
65
We are informed, by a copy of the corres
pondence between Horatio S. Dexter, Esq.,
agent for the Seminole Indians, and Captain
Bell, of the United States army, and acting
Governor of Florida, that as early as 1821,
immediately after the cession of the territory
from the Spanish government to the United
States of America, Econchatti was then a King
of a Seminole tribe; he is therefore always
called Econchatti- Mico — the word mico signi
fying King or High chief. Vide Appendix.
At that time he resided with his sub-chiefs
and warriors on the banks of the Chattahoochee
river, where he possessed large private property,
in land, slaves, horses, and horned cattle. At
this place, it is presumed, the subject of the
present narrative was born, who is nephew to the
renowned Oceola — Econchatti having married
Oceola's sister.
70
The wealth of Econchatti-Mico was a sufficient
inducement for a party of neighbouring white
ruffians to arm themselves, and without any
previous declaration of hostilities, to rush sud
denly into his dominions, when after killing one
of his sub-chiefs, they forcibly took possession of
the whole of his property. This may be con
sidered as a trifling provocation on the part of
the whites, but it is one only among thousands
of a similar kind, which they have practised
towards a people whom they stigmatize as
REVENGEFUL."
67
OF PRINCE ECONCHATTTS MOTHER.
" A death-like sleep,
A gentle wafting to immortal life."
MILTON.
A faint gleam of recollection of his mother at
times flashes across the memory of this unso
phisticated boy — he now brings to the vision of
his mind the scene of her dying — and her death.
The loss of the maternal parent is in every
grade of life more keenly felt in childhood's
years, than that of the father ; yet how much
more poignant must have been the sorrow of
this Indian child, whose hardy and stern sire,
although possessing all the natural feelings of a
parent or a husband, deems it unworthy his
dignity to descend to the domestic cares of
either ; but whose stalwart arm is ever ready to
defend her, the elect of his choice,— or his off-
68
spring — his only hope for future years — on
whom he depends to convey to succeeding
generations the fire and courage of his nature,
and, perchance, through the same channel, by
traditionary tales, to ages yet to come, the
achievements of his heroic daring.
Sad and lonely then must have been the posi
tion of this young boy, whose mother breathed
her last sigh in the wigwam, with no other
attendant to administer to her dying wants than
this feeble nurse of probably five years old.
Cold was now that bosom on which he had
lately nestled for warmth and comfort !
Oceola says that the death of his mother took
place previous to the breaking out of the war ; —
he has not a clear remembrance of her, and the
life he subsequently led was sufficient to replace
the memory of his infantile years with more
exciting events ; he thinks his mother had been
confined at home for some time — she had been
69
bled in the temple, but the wound did not heal —
his father came frequently, and sat with her,
with which she was pleased ; but on the morn
ing of the day on which she died, he did not see
his father as usual ; probably he had gone away
upon some military embassy, and as the other
women were not present, it is not unlikely the
families were already removed away into the
interior of the country, to be more secure from
the dangers of an impending war.
As soon as he observed his mother had ceased
to breathe, he became frightened, and ran to the
top of a hill ; here he saw two Indians, who
came immediately with him, and occupied
themselves in examining carefully the extremi
ties of a rope extended between two trees ; they
then went into the house, and he rambled away
to a distance — on his return the men were gone,
and the body of his mother was removed — he
70
saw her no more. As he has no recollection of
her in health, it is to be presumed she had been
for some time an invalid.
The cord was doubtless designed to lash the
body, being part of their ceremony in burial,
which is thus performed. As soon as Indians
are convinced of the death of one of their people,
they place the arms close to the sides — the
hands are bent up to the shoulders, and the
knees are forced up to the chin.* In this position
the body, after having been dressed in its best
garments, is bound tightly round by a cord made
of twisted strips of cattle-hide ; it is then buried,
if convenient, in some cavern, or it is carefully
deposited in a hollow tree, and with it are placed
* There is a body of a South American Indian in the
Museum of the College of Surgeons in London, discovered
in this posture in the sand — erroneously supposed to have
been buried alive by an earthquake.
71
all the ornaments, articles of war or dress belong
ing to the deceased — the places of sepulture
are concealed, at times, with matchless skill.
The property of a deceased person is considered
too sacred for the use of survivors — all their
earthenware utensils, and other household pro
perty are broken up and destroyed, so that the
ground in the vicinity of old Indian towns, is
literally strewed with fragments of pottery, &c.
How revolting then to their notions, must be
our disputes respecting the property of our dead
friends, or the instances which more frequently
come to their knowledge, of soldiers robbing
the bodies of their own comrades, as well as of
their enemies.
After a battle, the slain are collected in one
spot, and a large mound of earth is heaped over
them — some of these Indian mounds, as they
are called, are very large ; there is one I observed
72
on the road from St. Augustine to Tomaka,
which must have covered two acres of ground.
Barrows of this kind are numerous over the
whole American continent ; showing a similarity
of habits, in this respect, as well as in many
others, between the Indians and the aborigines
of Great Britain.
YAHCHILANEE AND ALLAHA.
" Sounded at once the bow, and swiftly flies
The feathered death, and hisses through the skies."
DBYDEN.
Whilst upon the subject of Indian burials,
I will take this opportunity of relating the
ceremony, as more fully explained to me by the
amiable daughter of Mr. Dexter, whose name is
mentioned in the appendix — the young lady was
witness to the rite she very pleasingly described.
The unfortunate subject was a beautiful young
Princess of the Euchee tribe, who previous to
her marriage with a young sub-chief of the
Seminoles, was absolutely persecuted by the
addresses of a warrior of her own tribe — but
74
the impassioned Euchee was rejected, and in
the bitterness of jealousy, he swore revenge.
Eleven moons of uninterrupted happiness had
glided rapidly away, and Allaha (the orange) had
become the mother of a boy — the idol of his
father, whom she loved with the devotion of
woman's first and only love, and they were
happy.
One evening as the fond mother was playing
with her infant, which was suspended in a Wyya
(a curiously constructed crib in which infants
are placed, specimens of which may be seen in
Catlin's exhibition) from a branch of a large oak
tree — beneath which her husband was listlessly
swinging in his grass hammock — an unknown
Indian, who had been lurking throughout the
day in a dense wood near by, was seen, just as
the last rays of twilight died away, to rise from
a mossy couch, and creep along in a half bent
posture to the edge of the thicket near the
75
Wigwam, and in an instant the fond mother fell
mortally wounded at the feet of her husband —
an arrow had pierced her side, and before many
minutes Allaha was a corpse.
The bold Yahchilanee, (war eagle) with a tear
less eye, and a countenance expressive of the
most intense anguish, leaned over his dying
wife, uttering audibly at intervals " lepust,
lepust ! "— the breath is going, the breath is
going ! while an old crone of the tribe held
the infant boy over the dying mother, to re
ceive her parting spirit ; — which is supposed to
linger for a time with the offspring, and im
part instructions, which are to exert an influ
ence upon its future destiny.
When it became evident that life was extinct,
those around began to place the body in as com
pact a manner as possible, in the mode already
described ; it was then enveloped in a blanket
and placed in a sitting posture. — The fire in
76
and around the Wigwam was extinguished, and
all blankets, utensils, ornaments, &c. were col
lected together —two Indians then passed a pole
through the upper part of the blanket contain
ing the body, and marched off to a distance
followed by the husband and friends.
Having selected a place for encampment, fires
were again kindled — and now commenced the
ceremonies preliminary to burying the dead.
— A feast was held for three days — the body
placed in the open air handsomely attired,
and a large fire encircled it, which was kept
up until the expiration of the feast, when the
body was removed for burial. As no such ready-
made cemetery as a hollow tree was convenient,
the friends proceeded to construct a mausoleum
of young pine trees laid upon each other, form
ing a hollow square — of sufficient height to
receive the body in a sitting posture— into
which the remains of Allaha were deposited ;
77
together with all her cooking utensils, bed
ding, beads, belts, and bracelets; besides a
supply of poultry and provisions — and finally
a little negress was decapitated and placed be
side her mistress as an attendant across the
Big-Prairie, until she should arrive in the hunt
ing grounds of the GREAT SPIRIT. A few
Indian girls, who had followed the train,
plucked wild flowers, and strewed them around
the corpse — fit emblems of her own fragile and
short-lived existence ! — Lastly, the tomb was
covered with earth.
Now commenced the wailing and lamenta
tion for the dead — tearing of hair, with every
gesticulation of the agony of extreme sorrow:
not so with the sad and silent mourner — the
widower ; —
" No sigh nor moan escaped his quivering lips —
But the look of woe unutterable —
Extremity of earthly woe was there."
78
More than a year elapsed before the mur
derer fell under the knife of Yahchilanee — who
never rested until satiated by the blood of the
destroyer of his wife.
The Indian widower unbinds his hair, allow
ing it to float loose, and divests himself of every
ornament for the space of three moons ; during
which time he appears sullen and gloomy, and
enters on the chase only when the imperious
demands of hunger impel him.
Of the private character of Econchatti-Mico,
or of his wife, 1 have had no means of obtaining
any intelligence beyond what little their child is
able to communicate ; — he remembers his father
occasionally playing with, and caressing, him, — at
times taking him on his knee, or carrying him on
his back ; and at night, in their open-air encamp
ments, covering him with the same bear-skin.
He can also recollect, that during the sickness
of his mother, his father came frequently and
79
sat with her; manifesting, as far as his young
memory serves, the ordinary feelings of a father
and a husband ; which, I venture to state, are
quite as strong, if not more so, among those
denominated "savages," than among their de
stroyers, or even the really civilized Europeans.
I can by no means arrive at any certainty
with respect to the death of Econchatti-Mico ;
it has been said that he was killed in battle,
and again, that he died while a prisoner in the
Fort of St. Augustine.
80
PRINCE ECONCHATTI FIRST CAPTURED.
" Thou hast, by tyranny, these many years,
Wasted our country, slain our citizens,
And sent our sons and husbands captive."
SHAKSPEARE.
This event could not long have preceded the
second time when young Oceola was taken pri
soner, as the Seminole war did not commence
until November, 1835, and he was again in the
hands of his enemies, in August the following
year; thus making it evident that this persecuted
child became twice a prisoner of war within the
space of a few months.
In relating this circumstance, he can only
recall to his memory that the Indians had halted
81
in the Pine-forest for the night, and the follow
ing morning the war-men were obliged to leave
their squaws and children to continue their
journey unprotected, to their place of destina
tion ; they travelled alone for two or three
days, «when they were suddenly surrounded by
soldiers on horseback, and taken prisoners.
The frantic mothers, with their children, were
now driven, like a herd of cattle, to the nearest
encampment of the Whites, and there placed
upon baggage- waggons, to pursue their march
towards the civilized districts of East Florida.
They were several days travelling in this man
ner, sleeping at night under the broad face of
Heaven, with a guard of soldiers placed over
them.
On the road, Oceola saw many ruins of
houses, recently destroyed by fire : — the whole
district of country showed evidences of the
devastating effect of war.
82
Rations of flour were issued for the Indian
women and children, which they converted into
cakes by placing them upon the coals of their
fire. The young adventurer goes on to state
that, whilst crossing a wide shallow stream, over
which he was carried on the back of an Indian
woman who had had the charge of him since the
death of his mother, he observed a white man
on the opposite bank making frequent threat
ening signs with a whip ; menacing the women
with a view to quell a sudden loud and garru
lous impulse, which seemed to have seized
them. They kept up constant noises and
splashings in the water as they crossed, for
the express purpose of being discovered by
their friends, which the whites were, of course,
anxious to prevent.
At length they arrived at the skirts of a vil
lage inhabited by white people, where they saw
more soldiers : the prisoners bivouaced in the
vicinity — the guard remaining at a short dis
tance. During the night, two Indian women,
a little girl, and Oceola, took advantage of an
unguarded moment, and effected their escape
under the mantle of darkness. They walked the
whole of that night, and continued on their
retreat for two or three days — resting occasion
ally in the dense hammocks, and subsisting
during the time on water melons and Indian
corn. They at last arrived at a place where
they had encamped previous to their being cap
tured ; — here they had the good fortune to meet
the war-men — with whom, they spent the night
around a cheerful fire, regaling themselves plen
tifully till they had satisfied their hunger.
We may picture to ourselves the wildness of
this scene — and who can do otherwise than
sympathize with these people on the raptures
of their reunion after their unexpected escape
from captivity ? — the result of which would,
84
otherwise, have been either death or expatriation
for many hundred miles, to a severe climate,
and destined probably never again to meet
those they held dear on earth.
It may be said, that human beings, in savage
life, cannot possess in so high a degree, the
enjoyments maintained by intellectual refine
ment ; but, 1 contend they are more highly
endued with the love of offspring than a great
portion of civilized society.
Although an Indian woman has been known
to stifle her child, that its cries might not
betray a body of her people to an unsparing
enemy, this apparently revolting and unna
tural circumstance, does not detract from her
feeling as a mother ; — it appears to me an act
of extraordinary heroism, evincing a power of
mind, unknown since the days of ancient
Sparta, or of Rome. Let me ask — would an
Indian mother allow the fountain of life to the
85
infant to dry up, and consign her child to the
care of a stranger, that she might be the better
enabled to revel in dissipation and luxury — or
drown or strangle her offspring to hide her
own shame ? — Never ! ! Yet such occurrences
are daily witnessed in civilized society.
FIGHT FOR A HOG.
" You have brought your hogs to a fine market"
SPECTATOR.
Oceola remembers an engagement with soldiers,
when Econchatti-Mieo, with a party of Indians,
had halted near one of the military encampments
of the whites — and one of his men made free
to help himself to a hog belonging, it is pre
sumed, to the enemy. As they were quartering
the prize they were suddenly charged by ca
valry, and a smart contest ensued, in which the
soldiers were repulsed — leaving, for the use of
their victorious foes all their horses, but taking
away with them their wounded comrades.
87
At the onset, all the women and children
hurried away as rapidly as possible. Oceola
was so near the scene of action that he distinctly
heard a musket ball pass across his breast,
the sound of which he knew by its peculiar
zing. The horses appear to have fallen into
their hands very opportunely — the worn-out
squaws, with their young ones, were forthwith
mounted as well as the men ; — Oceola's father,
he observes, caught "a first-rate one/' on which
he rode away with his son en croupe.
88
ECONCHATTI-MICO WOUNDED,
" I am faint, my gashes cry for help."
SHAKSPEKE.
Our young Prince states, that the day on
which his father was wounded, and on the
previous one, they had endured much fatigue ;
marching through thick swamps and the inter
minable pine forests— and the greater part of
the preceding night had been spent in a retreat
from their enemies.
We may here figure to ourselves the distress
of these poor fugitives, keeping in view the
party, consisting in a great measure of houseless
women and children, who knew no refuge or
89
shelter — frequently wanting fire and food, and
chased by a merciless enemy, like herds of the
wilderness, from one extremity to the other of
a forest covering an area of fifty thousand miles.
Our youthful narrator speaks of his having
been carried, on the back of his father, a great
part of the wray, until they halted towards
evening in a dense thicket, so shaded that the
sun could not penetrate.
The women and children were exhausted by
the fatigues of the day's march, and now hoped
for some respite from pain and toil — a cheerful
fire was ignited, and they had begun to prepare
refreshments of dried meat and Coontee — (a
flour prepared from a wild root of the woods).
In the midst of this miserable attempt to relieve
the cravings of hunger, they were again sur
prised by an alarm —bloodhounds both biped
and quadruped were again upon their tracks —
" Now all was hurry, and hot haste,"
90
The blazing fire that seemed cheerfully to smile
upon their afflictions, was speedily extinguished,
and a few blankets which sometimes screened
them from the fury of the elements, when sus
pended upon sticks, at others forming their only
beds from damp and cold, were rapidly rolled
up ready for a retreat, While the women were
thus occupied, Nikkanochee remembers his
father lifting him in his arms, that he might,
even when so young, become accustomed to
danger — he pointed out to him the steady
approach of an enemy, whose muskets and
bayonets gleamed in the brilliant golden hues
of the setting sun. — After having stedfastly sur
veyed the phalanx of his foes, the boy was
ordered by his father to rejoin the women and
children, who had secreted themselves far in the
tangled screens of the swampy hammock, while
the warriors were left to defend them against
the combined assaults of men and dogs; the
91
latter Oceola describes as having been very
annoying. — Vide Appendix.
The whites were repulsed with a loss of some
killed and wounded. When this skirmish was
ended and the soldiers had yielded to the In
dians, the proud privilege their forefathers
boasted— the right of possession of the land
they lived on, — Oceola discovered his heroic
father laying upon the earth, pale and faint
from loss of blood — a musket ball had passed
through his wrist ; of this touching scene, the
boy gave a clear description in the most artless
garb of truth.
Far less secure were these unhappy fugitives
than the wild beasts of the forest — the chase of
which ceases with the declining orb of day ; but
the native Red man, the true, the hereditary
lord of the soil, who never slays but in self-
defence, or to avenge the death of a friend or
relative —to whom God hath given dominion
92
over the beasts of the field and forest to sup
ply his wants — is persecuted, goaded, robbed,
hunted, and at length destroyed, to make room
for the innovations of civilized men ; with
whom, alas ! too often, come rapine, debauchery,
and "all the ills that flesh is heir to," in the
walks of luxury and refinement.
After this action, in which Econchatti and
several others were wounded, the Indians spent
an anxious night in the hammock, and early in
the morning, under dread of a reinforcement to
the strength of their enemies, they again fled in
search of safety for the women and children.
It starts the tear of pity to reflect upon the
cruel persecutions of these unhappy people, in
their struggle for freedom and their rights.
They retreated through the dreary pine forests
and muddy swamps and marshes, selecting those
routes which would the most readily embarrass
their pursuers. Oceola was at times carried
93
upon the back of his father, who swam thus
with his child over deep, broad, and rapid
rivers, stemming the waters with one hand —
at other times, he says, he was whipped by his
uncle Oceola, for not walking fast enough to
keep pace with the fugitive party.
After a weary march of two nights and a
day, they again selected a resting-place near the
edge of a hammock, and had kindled a cheerful
fire — around which, some had stretched them
selves, whilst others were occupied in preparing
a repast of wild turkey and deer, which had,
during their journey, yielded to that silent
messenger of death — the arrow.
A short respite to their toils and troubles was
allowed by their enemies. No sooner had they
tasted the blessings of rest, with the comfort of
a blazing fire-side, than they were once more
startled by the plashing of horses, and the noise
of soldiers crossing a river near their unshel-
94
tered encampment. The Indians now cautiously-
extinguished their fire, and remained quiet,
until their foes had passed without having
discovered them ; they then renewed their fire
and their fare— watching throughout the night
in dread of an attack.
Oceola remembers that his father's arm was
bound up, and placed in a sling, after the man
ner in use amongst us — which was still carried
in a sling on the day of his own capture ; on
this occasion it was, that he saw his father for
the last time.
The history of the young Prince now becomes
peculiarly interesting. We have no right to
expect much to excite our wonder, or even our
admiration, in the adventures of a child, as dic
tated by himself, previous to the age of six
years — but when we reflect, that the sufferings
and privations of this poor boy, hunted like a
fawn, must have endured through a war in
95
which ten thousand disciplined troops, aided
by ferocious BLOODHOUNDS, were continually
upon the track of his persecuted tribe — not
numbering two thousand warriors, whose almost
only safety was in continued retreat through
deep morasses, and almost impenetrable ham
mocks, or dense woods — bereft of their homes,
and at times wanting the common sustenance
of nature ; — our warmest sympathies are roused
in his behalf.
Not only are our feelings of commiseration
confined to him, but they are widely diffused
for the whole of his persecuted race.
The preceding pages show that a considerable
portion of the life of this interesting child before
his second captivity, formed a succession of
events peculiarly harrassing ; consequently we
are not surprised that he appeared emaciated,
feeble, and dejected, when he again fell into the
hands of his enemies.
96
It is manifest to every reflecting mind that
his steps were here directed by an all-wise Pro
vidence, who, in goodness and mercy, selected
him from his unhappy tribe, to become, I trust,
in future years, the means of conveying such
information to his own people as may ultimately
reconcile them to the new life they are undoubt
edly destined to endure; for, there can be no
scruple in saying, that these people, who once
numbered upwards of a million, but now re
duced to a few hundreds — must, ere long,
submit to the dominion of stronger powers ;
however unjust the assumption of rights of
conquest may be.
97
OCEOLA NIKKANOCHEE,
PRINCE OF ECONCHATTI, RECAPTURED,
" The tear down childhood's cheek that flows
Is like the dewdrop on the rose ; —
When next the summer's breeze comes by,
And waves the bush— the flower is dry."
On the morning of the 26th of August, 1836,
a little Indian Boy was brought a prisoner to
Col. Warren, Commandant at the Military
Station at Newnansville, having been captured
on the preceding evening by soldiers, some
miles from that place. The child seemed to be
five or six years old ; he was emaciated, and his
general appearance indicated extreme suffering ;
he spoke not — and for at least three weeks he
maintained nearly a perfect silence— he was
H
98
apparently brooding over what he felt was a
heavy misfortune, and was evidently well aware
that he was in the hands of those whom he
knew to be his enemies — he looked cautiously
and quickly around him whenever a sound
reached his ears. — The most trifling movement
of those about him did not escape his notice —
he manifested an extreme apprehension of
danger, and it was thought that he was
perpetually on the watch for an opportunity
to escape.
Whatever passed in his infant brain, it was
quite clear that he did not contemplate starva
tion, as he ate the bread and milk which was
given him, accepting it however, with indif
ference or shyness, and again relapsing into his
state of sadness when his meal was finished ; —
he was never heard to sob, cry, nor moan, but
generally sat on the floor crosslegged— motionless
and thoughtful, and appeared overwhelmed with
99
a melancholy, which, in one so young, was
touching to witness.
The report of his capture was as follows. —
On the 25th of August, 1836, a scouting party
of five soldiers set out from Newnansville to
scour the surrounding country, and look out for
signs of Indians. Early in the morning they
disturbed several who were helping themselves
to some sweet potatoes, in a fenced field
belonging to a deserted residence: the Indians
took the alarm time enough to leap over the
fence and make their escape, retreating over a
small stream into the forest, through which the
soldiers followed the trails of one or two a short
distance ; they then deemed it prudent to return,
not knowing the strength of the enemy, and
again made their way into one of the military
roads lately made in Florida, where they soon
fell upon the tracks of footsteps of an Indian
child, rendered distinct by rain which had
H 2
100
recently fallen ; these they determined to pur
sue, considering it tolerably certain that they
would be led thereby to one of the encamp
ments of the tribe.
The soldiers declared that they followed
this child from the rising to the setting of the
sun, and were convinced that they must have
traversed a distance not less than forty miles.
It may seem incredible in this country that a
child so young could possibly walk thus far in
the time specified, yet I cannot for a moment
doubt it ; such a feat is by no means uncommon
in Florida — little negroes of a similar age will
often accompany their parents on foot from
Jacksonville to St. Augustine, and reach the
end of their journey in a day ; these places are
about the same distance from each other.
Towards nightfall they came in sight of the
little wanderer, he having in fact lost his way.
With that quickness of hearing which charac-
101
terizes all creatures in a wild state, he seemed
to be aware of the approach of his pursuers, for
they saw him bounding like a fawn to seek the
covert of the bushes, and there they found him
concealed in the high grass.
On being seized he uttered a scream of terror,
expecting instant death; but he soon smiled
through his fast falling tears, and in an im
ploring attitude held up a peach in his little
hand, which he seemed to offer as a ransom for
his life ! He was immediately placed on horse
back behind one of the soldiers, and it was quite
dark before they reached Newnansville, where he
was taken in charge by one of them for the
night, who fed the poor little famished prisoner
with a bowl of milk, and gave him a blanket,
in which he wrapped himself after the Indian
fashion, and lying down before the fire was soon
asleep.
I now feel ashamed to mention a fact which
102
will startle my readers — but were 1 not to do
so, I should not only fail in doing justice to one
of the soldiers, whose conduct on this occasion
does him honour, but should leave a very incor
rect impression, as to the nature of the warfare
carried on against these hapless Indians, besides
passing over a circumstance of great interest in
the eventful life of the boy.
Will it be believed that a dispute arose among
the soldiers, as to the propriety of at once
destroying their little captive? the majority
deeming it right to sacrifice every Indian,
whether man, woman, or child! At length
JAMES SHIELDS, to his renown be it mentioned,
succeeded in preventing the perpetration of this
horrid barbarity, and it is owing to his resolute
interference, and to that alone, that the poor
little fellow was brought into Newnansville
ALIVE ! !
Oh ! ye happy parents of this highly enviable
103
country ! compare the lot of your own blessed
offspring, with that of this Indian Child — at an
age which by you is considered one of nearly
perfect enjoyment — when their little wants and
wishes are studied and provided for with the
most anxious solicitude — when nothing which
can contribute to their health or welfare is for a
moment neglected — when instructors begin to
be provided, and the early buddings of intellect
are watched for and observed with rapture
indescribable — whose joy is your own, and who
in fact constitute almost your second and dearer
existences : — at the same age this Indian Child
was a wanderer in a wild and desolate country,
amidst interminable forests — beset by dangers
— beyond the assistance of his father or kin
dred, and going he knew not whither! —
But the hand of PROVIDENCE led him in
safety through the wilderness, and we can
104
now listen to his own artless and truthful
tale of this eventful day of his early life.
Oceola well remembers the greater part of
what happened to him when he was captured,
and that only have I determined to write, and
as nearly as possible in his own words.
105
PRINCE ECONCHATTI'S NARRATION.
He says that he, with his father and some
more Indians were travelling, and came to a
house which was deserted — in the garden be
longing to which some sweet potatoes were
growing : he had been carried on the back
of a man, as were some other children, who
let him down outside the fence, and then
clambered with the other men into the "potatoe
patch;" they had none of them, that he knew,
tasted food that morning; he himself had not.
Almost immediately they were alarmed by
soldiers, and the Indians quickly returned over
the fence, when Oceola saw his father beckon
ing him to come on, but the white people
106
came so quickly, that he was obliged to join
the rest in their flight.
There was a rivulet which the Indians all
leaped, and in endeavouring to follow them he
partly gained the opposite bank, but fell back
into it — he got up and reached the other side,
when he tripped against a vine root and again
fell; on getting up and running forward he
could see none of his companions, except an old
Indian, who did not appear to see him — they had
all, according to their custom, dispersed in
different directions.
It may appear to those unacquainted with
Indian life, cruel for a father to abandon his
child under such circumstances, at the risk of his
falling into the hands of an unfeeling enemy ;
but Indian children are early taught the habits
of all wild creatures, and in case of surprise know
how to secrete themselves in the bushes or high
grass, or in the hollow of a tree, and in places
107
where few whites would suspect their being
concealed ; whilst the parents and warriors take
measures for their own safety, and at the
same time by attacking or drawing off their
enemies from the place, secure that of their
children. The child thus hidden lies as still as
a partridge, till the danger being over, the father
or mother repair to the spot, and by a peculiar
call or cry, which is adopted by each family, he
starts up and they become re-united.
The child continued his flight ; he remembers
passing an old house, and came into the road —
he was not yet frightened, as he fancied he
was following his people, in consequence of
observing an old coffee-pot with something
green in it placed on a log, and which he had
seen in an Indian woman's hand in the early
part of the day. — This is another of their means
of directing stragglers in their flight — dropping
unimportant articles, breaking down small twigs
108
from the bushes as they pass, and pointing them
in the proper direction, with many other signs,
known only to themselves.
He continued along the road, and saw the
tracks of baggage waggons and picked up a
musket ball ; after this he saw no signs of the
way his people had gone, and then he says
he "began not to like it much;" he soon after
came in sight of a small village or settlement of
the whites, whereupon he struck out of the
road, and skulked along at some distance behind
the bushes, so as to keep himself out of sight — •
the place, like all others in the neighbourhood,
was deserted — he obtained the road again, and
late in the afternoon came to another deserted
house, adjoining which was a peach-orchard.
Having had no breakfast, nor eaten nor drunk
during the whole day, he went in and satisfied
his hunger with peaches ; he took a few away
with him, placing them in the front part of his
109
dress. It was getting dusk when he left the
peach-orchard, and had not gone far before
he heard a noise — looking round him he
saw soldiers at a distance; he then ran
with all his might — the soldiers gallopped
after him; he soon saw they were getting
too near, therefore struck off the road, and
hid himself in the grass; he saw some of
the men come up and stop near his hiding-
place, but one of them, it seems, had marked
him, and rode directly to the place of his
concealment, and calling out to the other men,
leaped from his horse and took him by the
arm. Oceola then began to cry, thinking
he was going to be killed, at the same time
he offered one of his peaches, hoping that
might save his life.
The soldier took it and smiled, then returned
it to him, and taking him up in his arms,
110
mounted his horse and placed him behind him,
and then they went on.
The men talked nearly all the way until
they reached Newnansville, when it was quite
dark — the soldiers took him to a house, and
gave him a bowl of milk and a blanket, then
went up stairs to bed; he drank the milk,
feeling very hungry, and then wrapped himself
up in the blanket before a good fire and went
to sleep.
Although awake early on the following
morning, he did not move till the soldier came
down stairs, when he was taken by the hand
and led into the guard-room- here he saw
Col. Warren for the first time, who consigned
him to the care of James Shields ; at his house
he had no food given to him until dinner time,
when he had some bread and other food.
Shields treated him with great kindness, and
never trusted him out of his sight — he made
Ill
him sleep on a little moss bed, in the same
room with him.
For breakfast he had bread and butter, but
the butter he disliked, and scraped it off with
his fingers.
A day or two after his arrival in Newnans-
ville, he witnessed the funerals of two soldiers ;
sights, which he unhesitatingly says gave him
great pleasure. Child as he then was, he had
already imbibed a strong hatred to all white
people, but of course to soldiers in particular —
the persecutors and slayers of his race !
In a few days he was elated by a discovery
that the place was surrounded by Indians,
when he felt great hopes of obtaining his
deliverance, and restoration to his friends ; he
knew this by the noise and stir — by Col.
Warren buckling on his sword, and the soldiers
arming themselves ; he did not know that any
one was killed, he heard no guns fired, and
thinks the Indians went away again without
attempting anything.
It is not at all improbable that some of the
Indians with their ordinary precaution, had, in
their turn, tracked the soldiers and the child,
until he was taken prisoner by them ; and that
the anxious father returned upon the back trail
as far as Newnansville, and then, aided by an
increased number of warriors, surrounded the
place with the intention of effecting the young
Prince's deliverance. But the poor boy's hopes
were doomed to disappointment, for at this
juncture, a reinforcement of troops arrived, and
but just in time to save the whole garrison from
the scalping knives of the outraged Seminoles ;
this, although he knew it not, was the cause
of the dispersion of the Indians, without their
making any attempt at his rescue.
It was well known to the officers in New
nansville that the Chief — Oceola — at the time
113
commanded in person, and they now surmised
that their prisoner was one of too important
a character to be allowed to remain among
them ; consequently, soon after this event he
was removed under a guard (but still in the
immediate charge of James Shields) to the
private residence of Col. Warren, at Jackson
ville ; a town many miles beyond the Indian
frontier. Instead of sending Oceola a prisoner
to head-quarters, Col. Warren, with commend
able kindness and generosity, removed him
with his family to his country residence, where
he passed about a year, and here placed him
with his own children, with whom he ate,
drank, played, and slept Although the child
of their enemies, he soon engaged the affections
and kindly feelings of the Colonel's whole es
tablishment. It not unfrequently occurred, that
when boyish dissensions arose, and complaints
were brought to him by his own children of
114
the infringement of the young Indian on the
rules of play, he would be but little inclined to
take their part, but admonish them to be more
kind and conciliatory to the little captive.
For the convenience of the reader I will now
interrupt the thread of the narrative. The
child is passing his time in an estimable family,
where we will for the present leave him, and
revert to the earlier part of his existence.
Doubtless much curiosity is felt to know how
he passed the first few years of infantile life,
previous to his being taken prisoner, from the
insight it may afford into the domestic habits of
the Indians — what were his amusements, and
those of other children of his tribe — his recollec
tions of his parents and relations, and of events
which took place during, what we call, "the
happy days of childhood." This part of my
undertaking must, however, for obvious reasons,
be but imperfectly accomplished, but it shall
be attempted.
115
PRINCE ECONCHATTTS REMEMBRANCES
OF HIS EARLY DAYS.
" Sometimes forgotten things, long cast behind,
Rush forward in the brain and come to mind."
SHAKSPEA.RE.
It need hardly be said that the childish years
of Oceola were passed not in the lap of comfort
and security, but in an almost constant struggle
with dangers and privations ; or in endeavours
to elude the pursuit of his white enemies ; to
effect which, his tribe was kept in a perpetual
state of watchfulness.
Previous to this state of life, which com
menced with the outbreaking of the war ; his
remembrances of the days he spent in the wil
derness, must of course be very limited and
116
unimportant ; still we cannot but feel an interest
in almost every circumstance connected with
this child of a noble Chief— the ruler of a warlike
people.
Before the epoch alluded to, he spent his
days with other boys in rambles about the forest
in the vicinity of his home. The older boys
would avail themselves of the dark nights to go
into the hammocks, with torches made of split
resinous pine wood, to seek among the low
branches of trees for the opossums, which when
discovered, they knocked on the head with
sticks — this, and the amusement of shooting
the racoon by day with bows and arrows, af
forded them much delight.
His ordinary food consisted of roasted turkey
or meat, chiefly Echa or deer's flesh, and Saufkee
or Indian corn bruised in a mortar and boiled,
called by the Americans homminy. The mortar
was a block of wood hollowed out ; the pestle
117
of which was formed of a piece of hard wood
about three feet long, heavy and large at each
end — the pot in which the food was cooked
was made of clay, shaped by the hand and dried
in the sun, and then baked in the fire ; these
utensils are always ornamented with indenta
tions and marks. They eat their food out of
gourds with wooden spoons. Sometimes squirrels
were skinned and roasted, at other times they
were rolled and tied up like a ball and put into
the ashes, and skinned when they were suffici
ently cooked. Their thirst was generally
quenched at the limpid stream, in large leaves,
so twisted as to make a cup.
When not encamped, or in a house, Oceola
usually slept on the ground, under trees in the
woods ; generally with some kind of covering,
as a deer-skin, bear-skin, or blanket.
He was once, by some accidental circum-
118
stance, lost in the woods, and after rambling
nearly the whole day in search of his father's
encampment, he saw at a distance the smoke
curling above the trees ; even this cheering
sight did not induce him to run at once to the
spot from whence it came, but he cautiously
reconnoitred about until he heard his own
tongue, and felt well assured he had not mis
taken the camp of an enemy for his own. He
found his friends engaged over their evening
meal, consisting of a dish of fried potatoes, in
which he partook with the avidity of a boy
who had fasted the whole day.
119
MASK DANCE.
The only juvenile sports of which he has a
clear recollection, and which he witnessed when
too young to join in them, are the Ball-play
(described in another chapter) and one called
the "Mask Dance:" — his recital of the latter
amusing ceremony, is distinct enough to enahle
him to give a tolerable description of it.
It is begun by the smaller boys, whose faces are
covered with masks made of the bark of the
cypress tree, in which holes are cut for them to see
through ; these grotesque screens to their merry
faces, are raised high above the head, but do
not descend below the chin.
The children becoming thoroughly enlivened
120
by dancing round a fire —the war-men, as Oceola
always terms the fighting characters, and larger
boys approach, with their faces also covered in
the same manner — they seat themselves at a
distance and watch the antics of the juveniles,
till they themselves are constrained to join the
boys and much fun ensues. — Here may be wit
nessed the noble warrior, like the famous
Roman emperor Aurelius, throwing off his
dignity, and happy in partaking the amuse
ments of his children— here is the wild Indian
— the lordly nobleman of nature, rioting in the
affectionate feelings of a father, and relaxing
his distant bearing and dignified demeanour ;
the remainder of the tribe sitting round, spec
tators of a scene, which, from associations or
incidents unknown to us, doubtless affords all
parties the highest enjoyment ; inasmuch as
these festivities commencing as darkness sets
in, do not finish till day -break.
121
In the midst of this joyous assemblage rushes
on a sudden from the bushes, a man terrifically
decorated, holding in his hand a branch of some
weed — an immediate yell of pretended alarm
breaks forth from the athletic adults, and the
really dismayed youngsters scamper off in every
direction.
The phantom of the forest jumping through
the fire, seizes any boy whom he can catch, and
tickles him till his mask falls off; after leaping
a few times through the fire, he retires to the
bushes. The boys return, and each by dancing,
and dreading a renewal of the tickling, is ex
cited to the highest pitch of wariness and acti
vity, increased by the apprehension of the reap
pearance of the " Hulwagus" When a few
more of the youths have been caught and
unmasked their part is finished, and the dances
of the war-men succeed, and Hulwagus con
tinues to play his pranks among them.
122
Those of the tribe who choose to continue,
witness displays of personal strength on the
part of the youthful warriors, to which the
gymnastic exercises of ancient Greece were
mere child's play ; the festival concludes by a
substantial breakfast of roasted venison.
This sport seems calculated to harden the
nerves of the young Indians, and to accustom
them to sudden surprises from their enemies;
in which the tactics of Indian warfare chiefly
consist.
These and other amusements suited to child
hood, were however but rarely indulged in
after the war began — the fatigue consequent
upon a hard day's march, in which the children
were compelled to partake, though often carried
upon the backs of their parents, inclined them
to little else than to food and sleep. An in
genious and rational operation was usually per
formed, when the long travel of the day was
123
likely to occasion stiffness, and thus impede
their journey on the succeeding one; to this
operation, when thought requisite, both old and
young were compelled to submit. Oceola has
often undergone it, and says he did not think it
very painful ; it consists in scarifying the legs
and ankles with sharp fish-bones, till the blood
flows in sufficient quantity to afford relief, and
to prevent both swelling and stiffness — it seems
to be an established custom, and is doubtless
an effectual one.
On the return of Colonel Warren with his
family to Jacksonville, the little Indian accom
panied them, and again became my frequent
visitor ; the interest I had previouly felt for
him was revived with increased force. He had
now acquired a sufficient knowledge of English
to make himself tolerably well understood ; his
%
health had greatly improved, and he had grown
a pretty and interesting child : although he had
124
become communicative with his young com
panions, he was, with older persons, still shy
and reserved ; and no one had yet succeeded in
eliciting from him his own name, or that of his
parents ; or could induce him to say anything
relating to his family or tribe— subjects on which
he was always silent. Entertaining, as my
reader has already been informed, a strong feel
ing of regard for the Indian character, my sym
pathies for the little captive became daily more
strongly excited ; as I fancied I observed in
him the dawning of the good qualities peculiar
to his race ; and reflected, that notwithstanding
the kind treatment he now received, he would
eventually be claimed as a prisoner of war, and
undergo the fate which many of his exiled tribe
had already suffered.
His peculiar situation at length determined
me, if possible, to constitute myself his guardian ;
and Colonel Warren being on the point of
125
making an important change in his own family,
gave me an opportunity of preferring my re
quest : it was willingly granted, and this friend
less child accordingly came under my immediate
protection on the 31st of October, 1837.
This change, separating him from his young
companions, caused him to relapse into his former
taciturnity, observable in him when he was first
captured — his fear of strangers was very great,
and of the white country people, or Crackers, as
they are there called, he had a particular dread ;
no sooner did he apprehend their arrival than he
instantly flew to some place of concealment.
That he should have displayed such an aver
sion cannot be wondered at, as he knew they
had frequently expressed a threat to kill him
the first opportunity that offered with safety
to themselves; among whom the destruction
of an Indian, however small, would have been
a satisfactory achievement.
126
I now sent him to a school, with the children
of several respectable families in the neighbour
hood, kept by a lady of conciliatory manners
and superior understanding. For several days
no perceptible change took place ; he returned
home regularly, and would quietly squat him
self on the floor by the side of his adopted
mother, not noticing any kind greeting or
marked attention. He would join the family
at meals, signifying his acceptance of what was
offered by a nod of his head — a shake of which
denoted his refusal. He gave a marked prefer
ence to vegetable and farinaceous food of the
simplest kind, and objected to all stimulating
condiments. Malt liquor, wine, and spirits he
decidedly refused, but of lemonade or sweetened
water he partook freely — on sweets in general
he delighted to feast abundantly.
It was truly pleasing to watch the early bud
dings of his infant mind, and to observe his
127
gradual approach towards the habits of civilized
life. At night he willingly came to the side of his
foster-parent, who taught him on his knees, to
offer up his first prayer to his Heavenly Father.
It was long before he could repeat by heart the
LORD'S PRAYER — but seemed desirous to please
in his efforts to pronounce the words clearly
and with precision.
Miss D was earnestly requested to exert
the influence she maintained as governess, to
learn from the child the names of himself and
family, in which she succeeded as far as that of
himself and his father — he whispered his own
name with extreme caution — it was Nikkano-
chee. When he divulged this first secret, he
looked round timidly to discover if any one
noticed him — Miss D immediately com
mitted it to paper, and without his cognizance
handed it to my wife.
128
Elated with her success, she urged him to
disclose the name of his father. To show the
extraordinary discretion of one so young, he
now tells me he gave her, and others, the name
of another Indian, that his father might not be
discovered, and it was some time after this that
he told us who his father really was, which we
then understood to be Conchatti,
His reserve gradually abated, and by degrees
he made known to us a portion of his early his
tory. Among other subjects of inquiry, I will
name one which threw further light upon his
family connections. He came home one day
from school in tears ; and complained that Miss
D had whipped him, and on being asked
if he had ever been whipped whilst with his
tribe, he replied "Yes;" — his uncle had once
punished him with small switches to make him
walk faster, when probably retreating from their
129
enemies, and on being questioned what was
the name of his uncle, in an instant he answered
Oceola.
The relationship between Oceola and his
father was afterwards satisfactorily explained to
me by Captain John Graham, of the United
States army ; who lived several years on the
Indian frontier, and was intimate with Oceola,
whose niece he married, and by whom he had
a family. Dining at the house of Judge Reid
at St. Augustine, who is now governor of
Florida, on the 1st of August, 1838, a conver
sation was started between Mrs. Reid and my
self respecting the little Indian boy, with regard
to whom she had always manifested a warm
interest; some pleasant bantering ensued on
my venturing to express a supposition that he
was nephew of the great Oceola : Captain Gra
ham, who was present, inquired the name of
the boy's father, a lady having jokingly re-
K
130
marked that the child must be, also, a relation
of his. I told him that his father's name was
Conchatti ; when to the surprise of Mrs. Reid,
and my own peculiar gratification, he said that
Econchatti, (or as he was more generally called,
Econchatti-Mico,) married the sister of Oceola,
and that consequently the boy's statement must
be correct All were now convinced that the
little Indian was in reality the nephew of Oceola.
This information was subsequently confirmed
by Dr. Simmons of St. Augustine, than whom
perhaps no man in Florida is better informed
in all relating to the Seminoles and their lan
guage : he was well acquainted both with Oceola
and Econchatti, and explained to me the mean
ing of the name of the latter.
Econchatti- Mico, he informed me, was his
official name; that he was always thus called
by his tribe in their "talk "with the whites;
his name being thus written in all treaties made
131
between them and the Indians ; extracts from
some of these documents proving which, will be
found in the Appendix. That he was king of
a tribe of Indians inhabiting a district of country
called the " Red Hills," as his name implies —
"Econ," meaning hill or hills— Chatti, red—
Mico or Micco, King.
After staying at the town of Jacksonville
about a year, I purchased an estate near the
mouth of the St. John's river, to which with
my protegee I removed, and there we remained
until May 31st, 1840. Here he had full op
portunities of indulging his taste for the wilder
accomplishments of hunting and fishing, pre
ferring then, naturally enough, to all else we
endeavoured to teach him. His courage was
remarkable; undauntedly he would climb the
highest trees to rouse the racoon from his lair
of sticks and dried leaves, and soon became per-
K 2
132
feet in loading a double-barrelled gun, which
he as readily fired when permitted to do so.
At this time, he was supposed to be not more
than eight years of age, but, on every occasion
manifested the hardihood and freedom from
fear peculiar to his race. At one time, I watched
both with pleasure and anxiety his manoeuvres
with an alligator not less than twelve feet long,
with which he was playfully amusing himself:
he had thrown aside his dress, as was his custom
in hot weather, whilst fishing on the bank of
the St. John's river. The huge amphibious
monster moved stealthily along at the water 's
edge, and the boy would now and then wait
within a few feet of his greedy foe— and as it
advanced he would feign fear and retreat a few
paces ; then again watch quietly the approach
of the hideous creature, poising a small spear
which he always carried with him when seeking
for fish. At length, knowing the habits of
133
these animals, I perceived the alligator in right
earnest preparing for his deadly attack ; I there
fore sprang forward and saved the boy from the
impending danger; my presence alarmed the
alligator, when, without making a ripple on
the surface, it sank to the bottom of the river.
I interrogated the boy as to his intentions
had the alligator molested him ; he replied
with perfect confidence and unconcern, *; /
would have hit him right in the eye" suiting
with his spear, the action to the word. This
weapon he would use with wonderful precision
and skill. The eyes of soles, when their bodies
are covered by mud, are visible to none but a
keen and practised observer : these fish I have
seen him strike accurately with his spear, and
raise them triumphantly in the air.
In reference to the alligators' mode of attack,
I may mention that on shore they sometimes
attempt to seize with the mouth, but more
134
generally trip up their prey with the tail ; the
victim is then dragged into the water and held
beneath by the mouth alone until dead ; it is
afterwards devoured ashore. A hearty meal
lasts them for several days; and previous to
burying themselves in the mud for the winter
months, they swallow a large piece of wood, or
some other hard substance, to keep the stomach
distended until the following spring.
Oceola soon became an expert swimmer, and
could paddle my small canoe with great dex
terity, His endurance of fatigue in the woods
was surprising ; often when loitering after a
walk of about twenty miles, he has laughed at
my weariness, whilst he himself was fresh
and active.
135
ANECDOTES AND PECULIARITIES OF
INDIANS.
It is generally believed that Indians are not
easily roused from their dignified and serious
deportment, unless excited by anger ; and that
they are not readily fascinated by the charms
of woman ; but if the following be a correct
statement, of which there can be no doubt, as
the scene was witnessed by hundreds — then I
say, they are susceptible in an eminent degree
of the witchery of female beauty, heightened
by the powers of dramatic art. In this instance
at least, their gallantry could not be surpassed
by the most refined gentleman in Europe.
136
A SCENE at the THEATRE in WASHINGTON.
FROM AN AMERICAN PAPER.
It was a novel and exciting spectacle at the
Theatre, on the occasion of Miss NELSON'S
benefit. The boxes and the parquette were filled.
On the left of the stage sat a delegation of
Indian Chiefs, representing the Sioux, loways,
Sacs, and Foxes, of the Missouri river. With
a single exception, not one of them had ever
before visited the settlements of his white
brethren. Before them, in the parquette, they
beheld a crowd of civilized men, mingled with
whom were the kindred of some of them, the
Sioux from the Falls of St. Anthony ; part of
these dressed in the military coats, with epau
lettes, and hats, with silver bands, and
137
others in the new blankets and leggings they
had that day received as a present from their
Great Father* — In the boxes was an array of
females, looking with strange interest on these
sons of the forest. But the attraction for the
party on the left of the stage was the agile and
fairy figure of the Mountain Sylph. As she
descended, and her feet touched lightly the
stage, their cries mingled witli the plaudits of
their white brethren. As she moved from
place to place, appearing and vanishing with a
rapidity that reminded them of the fleetness of
the deer in their native hunting grounds, their
interest became more intense. One of them,
Pa-la-ne-a-pa-pi (the man struck by a Rickaree)
a young chief of the Yanctons, suddenly rose,
and threw at her feet the splendid war-cap,
composed of feathers of the war-eagle, which
he had often worn in bloody conflicts with the
* The President.
J38
enemies of his people. Most gracefully did
the Sylph receive the offering, and appended it
to her own rich costume.
A few moments passed, and an aged Sac
Chief, Po-ko-na (the plume) who, during a long
life has been distinguished for his friendship
for the Americans, especially in the war of
1812, moved by a sudden impulse, made to her
an oblation of his own war-cap, To-ka-ca (the
man that inflicted the first wound) a celebrated
brave of the Yanctons, almost immediately
afterwards presented her with a splendid robe
of the skins of the white wolf, which he had
worn only at the more imposing ceremonies of
his tribe. A buffalo robe, richly ornamented,
was next the gift of Ha-sa-za (the forked horn)
the second chief of the Yanctons. And Mou-
ka-ush-ka, (the trembling earth) a young brave
of rank, of the same tribe, bestowed another
robe, of similar fabric and workmanship. At
139
the presentation of his gift, each of these Chiefs
and warriors addressed to the Sylph some
words of compliment ; the last declaring that
he made his offering " to the Beauty of Wash
ington." With grateful ease she expressed her
regret that she could not speak to them in
their native language, and thank them for their
splendid donations ; and she requested the
interpreter to tell them that she should ever
regard them as friends and brethren. Then,
advancing to the box, she presented to each a
beautiful ostrich plume, which they immediately
placed upon their head-dresses. At the close,
as she was ascending, she spread over her brow
the splendid war-cap of eagle feathers, producing
a most magical effect.
It would be vain to attempt to convey to
those who were not present, an idea of the
impression created by such an unwonted and
unexpected exhibition of interest and admira-
140
tion by these untutored men, who, for the first
time, witnessed what they must have deemed
a more than human exhibition of power. And
well may the sylph felicitate herself upon
having kindled so vividly their susceptibilities,
and obtained from them such costly tokens of
their admiration.
141
INDIAN DOCTORS IN FLORIDA.
The practice of the Seminole " Faculty," is
confined exclusively to roots and herbs — of
which an endless variety abound in the pine-
woods and swamps of Florida. Steaming, and
bleeding, also enter largely into their modus
operandL — The former is effected by the steam
of water, in which herbs have been boiled ; the
patient, after having undergone this operation,
is well soused with cold water. Phlebotomy is
performed by a piece of broken glass bottle or a
fish bone. Enchanted water is another remedy
used by this superstitious people — a small
quantity from some limpid spring is placed in
a gourd, and a particular kind of root chipped
into it ; the doctor then blows upon it, utter-
142
ing some unintelligible words, when the holy
water is fit for use.
When an individual of the tribe is taken
sick, and has called in medical aid, the doctor
never leaves the patient until a change for the
better is observed, or the spirit departs for the
unknown land of the dead. He is perfectly
devoted to the invalid, administering all his
potions with his own hands — and, that the
friends may not suspect him of mal-practice in
case of death, he himself takes a dose similar
to the one administered — no matter how often,
or how nauseous it be — he swigs it down each
time he prescribes for his patient ; and if his
applications do not effect a cure, no charge is
made.
If the Legislatures of all civilized communi
ties would enact a law to the same effect in
relation to doctors — id est, to take their own
potions as often as they administered them,
many valuable lives might be spared.
143
AMUSEMENTS.
Dancing is, with the Seminoles, as it is with
all wild nations, a favorite amusement ; — no
undertaking of importance can be commenced
or terminated by them without a dance. Dan
cing comprises a part of their religious devo
tions—the sprightly time of marriage — hailing
the new-born child — to the more solemn cere
mony of death ; — preparing for battle — or the
execution of a prisoner or a criminal ; — the first
fruit-offering to the Great Spirit — going to, and
returning from the chase — all are attended by
a dance !
The names of some of their dances sound
unmusical and harsh to ears refined; as, the
144
Wolf— the Bear— the Panther— Alligator, &c.
Of all their dances, the War dance, and the
Green-Corn dance, are the most imposing and
amusing.
In performing those named after different
objects of the chase, they dress themselves in
the skins of the creature they wish to represent,
carefully covering their own head with that part
of the skin— they then commence by imitating
the movements, rampant et couchant — with
bellowing, roaring, or growling, as the case
requires — dancing round in a circle — their feet
keeping time to any of the aforesaid accompa
niments, aided by a sort of tambourine, beaten
with a stick.
This movement requires a great deal of mus
cular exertion, and is continued, without
intermission, for a long time — probably half
the same kind of exertion would completely
145
prostrate the strength of the most athletic
white man.
At the conclusion of the dance a loud whoop
ing is commenced, and they generally break
away upon a run in pursuit of one another.
THE WAR DANCE. — This ceremony is strictly
prohibited in times of peace, and is punishable
by death, unless consent of the King be obtained.
— Many travellers in Florida have pretended to
give a description of the War dance, but I have
the authority of the oldest residents in the country
who have lived years with the Seminoles, and who
spoke their language fluently — that they never,
although at frequent entreaties, could induce
them to perform it ; and I, myself, have re
peatedly urged individual Indians to favor me
with the war-whoop, but could never succeed
during peace ; but, after the commencement of
hostilities, they were liberal to an unpleasant
146
degree, without the ceremony of being "called
upon."
Mr. Catlin, in his ' Tableaux Vivants IndiennesS
gives a most animated, and, I have no doubt, a
correct representation of this thrilling ceremony.
— He lived eight years among the wildest
tribes, who were at war with each other; con
sequently, where a white man had probably
never before been seen, he was considered neu
tral, or identified with the party he happened
to be residing with ; therefore, he has had
better opportunities of witnessing the War-
dance, and their other ceremonies, than any
other white man. As any attempt I might
make to convey a comprehension of this fete
could not possibly approach near to reality, I
strongly urge my reader to visit the Egyptian
Hall, where there is much to gratify the curious
—both in the representations and costumes —
and also in the splendid collection of Indian
curiosities and paintings.
147
THE GREEN-CORN DANCE — is an annual
festival ; it occurs at the return of every season,
when the maize or Indian corn has so far ad
vanced as to be fit for boiling or roasting, which
is probably a month or six weeks before it is
thoroughly hard ripe. At this time, the whole
nation meet at one particular spot for a grand
and joyous fete — and to which, in times of
peace, the pale-faced neighbours are invited.
This festival is supposed by many to have
some analogy with the purification of the ancient
Jews. It seems here to have for its design,
purification as much as any other object — for
the ceremonies anterior to the dance commence
by medicine and bleeding. A large vessel of
medicated liquid, called the black drink, is pre
pared, of which every individual of the tribes
(for all are present) is compelled to partake — no
one is exempt— no apology received — all must
L 2
148
swallow it down, until they sicken and reel
under its nauseating influence.
It is a powerful cathartic, which cleanses the
system, and is supposed to be a promoter of
health for the ensuing year. During this ope
ration, blood-letting is also performed, as if to
expel everything detrimental from the system ;
after which, ablutions complete the cleansing
part of the ceremony. During this time all
fires are extinguished — and now commences the
offering to the GREAT SPIRIT : a fresh fire is
produced by rubbing together two pieces of
wood, which is attended with great exertion
before ignition is effected ; then a large pot,
filled with green corn, is placed upon the fire —
this is then burnt as an offering ; after which,
commences the boiling and roasting for the
company.
There can be no doubt that the reason why
Indians take the "black drink'' is, that they
149
think the system requires this annual refresh-
ment— -and, by way of enforcing this opinion
upon the tribes, their doctors, magicians, or
lawgivers — for all these professions are exercised
by the same individual, have converted it into
a religious ceremony.
Another design is, to make these days of
rejoicing, that the seasons again give promise of
being fruitful — that the FATHER OF BREATH
has smiled upon the fruits of the earth, and that
the genial influence of his servant, the Sun, is
hastening them on to perfection. This is their
rude way of offering the tribute of grateful
hearts for His beneficence, and invoking His
aid and blessing on the future.
During these days of hilarity there is an
interchange of good feeling, and the cultivation
of social affections among themselves ; the lines
of distinction among the various tribes, which
are at all other times strictly observed, are here
150
merged, and they meet and mingle like a band
of brothers. On this occasion, if any one, who,
during the past year, has committed a crime —
no matter how heinous, unless it be murder —
can contrive to skulk unobserved into the ring,
while the ceremony is going on, no questions
are asked, and he is at once restored to his
former rank, and begins the new era as much
respected as any of his tribe.
There is no Indian ceremony that tends so
much to soften their stern nature as the Green-
Corn dance. The young Sanhops or Braves,
with their squaws, enter heart and soul into the
sports of the time— while the old warriors, with
their wives, look on in placid enjoyment — and
when any great feat of agility is performed,
they signify their admiration by grunting out,
" Matto, matto!" — which ejaculation is com
monly used to express thanks — it seems equally
applicable to praise.
151
The Green-Corn festivals are also attended
by games of ball. The BALL PLAY is performed
by the young men, with a kind of spoon with
a long handle, the bowl of which is coarsely
wickered — the ball is thrown and caught in
these instruments with much dexterity. Foot
ball is also a favorite amusement.
During this time the greatest good feeling
exists — no bickerings or jealousy are allowed
to manifest themselves — all join in applauding
the warrior who performs the most distinguished
feats. The young men here, as in the days of
chivalry, glory in their achievements; each
enjoys a conviction that his "ladyelove" is
made proud by his distinction — and thinks
himself amply repaid for his laborious exertions
by the melting glances of her dark eye. Like
the Grecian games, they too serve to develop
and strengthen the frame, and render the war-
152
rior better able to endure the fatigues of the
chase, and the toils of war.
This festival strongly resembles one that was
held among the natives of Mexico, as described
by Salis, the Spanish historian, who accompa
nied the expedition of Cortez to the conquest
of that country, — The rite described by him,
however, was purely a religious one, mingled
with a thousand barbarous and superstitious
ceremonies. All was performed in a square, at
the foot of an immense Temple in the great
City of Tenuchtitlan — at which time human
victims were sacrificed to the Sun.
The Temple was dedicated to the Sun, and
its principal front was towards the east. One
large room in this huge building was occupied
by the High Priest, around the walls of whose
apartment were suspended upon strings — the
skulls of all who had been dedicated to the great
luminary of day,
153
It would be an interesting task for the inqui
sitive scholar to trace out the analogy between
the customs of these two species of a common
race of people, and their origin, back to the
ancient Jews (if from them they originate), and
to examine into the causes which have operated
to produce the several changes in a common
custom — and, finally, to modify it from a bar
barous rite into a useful and joyous festival.
154
ETIQUETTE.
In conversation the Indians never interrupt
each other; those who are listening incline their
heads, and look upon the ground in an attitude
of attention. When one has finished his dis
course, he who replies says *che! mar ma
watster,' meaning very well, and he then com
mences, the other listening with the same polite
attention.
The squaws generally, with the exception of
the wives of the chiefs, perform all the drudgery.
In travelling with their Papooses (children), they
carry them in a Wyya, suspended at the back by
a broad strap across the forehead. On the top
of this convenient contrivance is sometimes
155
placed a heavy load, surmounted by another
child astride, holding on to the hair of the
mother's head.
If the husband and wife hunt in company,
which they sometimes do— the spouse is loaded
first, and sent home — and when the men hunt
alone, the fruit of the chase is carried home, and
thrown down at the door of the wigwam — the
hostess then performs all the sundry offices of
skinning, cleaning, and cooking.
When an Indian from a neighbouring tribe
makes a visit, he calls upon no particular indi
vidual, no matter how extensive his acquaintance
may be — he marches directly to the council
house, and seats himself upon a skin on the
floor (from which he never rises with the assist
ance of hands, but by an easy spring he gracefully
erects himself) ; any one seeing him, carries the
intelligence to the chief of a stranger's arrival,
who repairs thither, and seats himself by the
156
side of his guest — not a word or look is ex
changed until food is brought; then, after
refreshment, conversation commences, which is
never of a scandalous nature. If an Indian
thinks himself, or his family, or his friend,
injured by another, he disdains to speak of it to
a stranger, if he does not resent it himself.
157
THE
SEMINOLES' OPINION
OF THE
ORIGIN OF THE HUMAN RACES.
They believe that the GREAT MASTER OF
BREATH, at the creation of the world, formed
three men— the Red, the White, and the Black ;
that he also made, at the same time, three things
which were not in existence before, and enclosed
them in three separate packages, the contents of
which were unknown to the men, and laid them
before them to choose. The Red Man, being
the favorite of the GREAT SPIRIT, was allowed
to make the first selection, and on opening his
package, he found it to contain a bow, and
quiver filled with arrows.
The White Man came next, and on examining
his, found paper and quills.
158
The Negro came last ; his package contained
an axe and hoe. This is a tradition had from
their fathers, who believed the packages em
blematical of the future destinies of the races.
As for the Mulattoes, they are considered not
entitled to country or occupation, and are
regarded as the meanest of God's creation.
When the delegates of this tribe waited upon
the secretary of state, some years since, at
Washington, an offer was made to establish
schools among them. Econchatti-Mico said
" No ! The bow and arroivs were given to our
people by Ike FATHER, OF LIFE. Our bows are
like his bow, and our arrows are like lightning,
which strike with death — they give us food, and
they kill our enemies. Pie sent you paper and
quills, to mark down all that passes on earth —
we hope you will mark the truth upon a straight
line. No ! we want no schools — my people are
content with the bows and arrows."
159
LAWS.
Their code of unwritten laws is simple,
and adapted to their primitive state of society.
It resembles, in many respects, that of the
ancient Jews. Life for life — an eye for an eye
— a tooth for a tooth.
When uncontaminated by civilized man, faith
and good fellowship prevail among them, and
but few excesses are committed. Polygamy is
allowed, but few avail themselves of it, excepting
the opulent chiefs. No Indian is allowed to
marry, unless he has already evinced industry,
and ability to support a family. Chastity, among
them, is a prevailing virtue — its opposite is ex
tremely rare.
The want of fidelity in either sex is punished
160
with severity — more particularly as regards the
women. The frail one, for the first offence, is
severely beaten, and then has her ears cut off
with an old jagged knife— for the second offence,
the nose is sacrificed — for the third, the upper
lip is cut away — and for the fourth (which, of
course, seldom happens), death.
This is an injury the men never forgive —
revenge burns unceasingly in their bosoms,
until the blood of the offender has washed away
the stain. The males, when injured, take upon
themselves the administration of justice.
A gentleman who resided upon the bank of
the river St. John, at the time of the Treaty of
Moultrie (1823), invited the Chiefs on their
return from the Talk to dine with him. A\\
things in readiness, the dinner was announced,
when the guests marched in, in a lordly manner,
according to rank, following the gentleman of
the house. Each was shown to a seat, which all
161
immediately occupied — excepting a young Chief
who had never before dined at the table of a
white man — he commenced removing all the
dishes to the centre of the table, and then leaped
with delight upon the festive board, and seated
himself cross-legged before his new arrange
ment, anticipating, no doubt, a glorious regale.
The other guests, perceiving this unrefined
movement, one and all cried out " Hilah, hilah,
hilah ! " then dragged him from his ungainly
position. Order and quiet were soon restored,
and the consumption of food was proceeding
with as much despatch as may be imagined,
considering the unvitiated state of their di
gestive organs; when another Indian arrived
accompanied by a squaw.
The lady of the house introduced the newly-
arrived guest, and his better half, into the
dining hall ; the Indian lady manifested the
greatest reluctance at entering the room, as the
M
162
squaws never take their meals with their hus
bands. The interpreter explained the cause of
her reluctance — he was requested by the white
lady to tell Econchatti-Mico that they were
ungallant, and should allow their wives to eat at
the same table ; and begged him to order his
people to make room for the squaw and herself
— the interpreter did as he was desired. The
Chief was silent, the other Indians laughed, but
no one moved. The hostess then walked up to
the table, and pushing some of the Indians
aside, made room for herself and the squaw, and
both sat down at the table ; at this the whole
party burst into a loud laugh. The lady pro
ceeded to help her guest, and urged her to eat,
but in vain : at length, finding their custom a
fixed one, she left the table. The squaw seemed
abashed, and even distressed, by the awkward
ness of her situation. Indian women always eat
after the men, but they are generally near to
163
perform such offices as cooling the food by
fanning, and brushing off the flies.
INDIAN MATIY. — One of the most touching
illustrations of Indian kindness and sympathy
for the whites, was exhibited in the case of poor
Indian Mary, who was well known to all the
planters on the St. John's River.
Mary, in her early days, had lived much
among white families ; she was remarkable for
a bluntness of manners, which, to a stranger,
appeared disrespectful. This peculiarity was by
no means improved by the expression of a coun
tenance decidedly ugly — her vision was very im
perfect, from cataracts in both eyes, and as
objects could strike the sight only in an oblique
direction, when she was spoken to, her face was
turned on one side — and her eyes, to catch the
figure of the speaker, were considerably dis
torted from their natural position, producing a
164
horrible squint — indeed, the expression of
Mary's face was anything but prepossessing,
and her person was altogether as forbidding as
her countenance.
Yet, with all these ungainly attributes, Mary
had an Indian husband — a man of no inconsi
derable influence among the tribe, and by whom
the race was augmented in numbers to the
amount of five : she, with her husband and
children, were frequently at my house, before
the breaking out of hostilities ; and at a time
when I had not the remotest suspicion of the
stirring scenes that so speedily ensued, in which
the husband acted a conspicuous part.
This warrior, named Yaha-Ematkla-Chupka
(leading Wolf), was a Sub-Chief, about thirty
years of years ; he usually wore a sort of frock,
trimmed at the edges with a border of white
cotton, confined to his body by a broad girdle
handsomely ornamented with beads, in which
165
was conspicuously seen a terrific-looking Saphka
or scalping-knife — -its handle was curiously or
namented ; in front of him was suspended a
beautifully-beaded Itcha-y-sucha or pouch, in
which he carried his flints, balls, tobacco, and
other little useful articles ; — at his left side hung
his carved powder-horn, and on his shoulder
was placed his rifle. His neck was encircled
by several strings of beads and silver crescents
— from his ears hung minute sea-shells. His
head-dress was of green cloth, the lower part of
which was thickly studded with beads, and on
the left side was gracefully placed several eagle
feathers — his nether extremities were enveloped
in leather buskins, and his feet shrouded in
mocassins.
The countenance of Yaha-Ematkla-Chupka
was harsh : but to analyze each feature, 1 should
be disposed to pronounce his face handsome ; a
high intellectual forehead— a glancing, pene
trating, jet black eye— nose perfectly Grecian —
166
mouth small, but lips too large to be in keeping
with the symmetry of his other features — a chin
rather sharp — hair profuse, and corresponding in
colour with his eyes— limbs well proportioned —
of strong muscular power — and a gait betraying
self-confidence and independence.
Such is the outline of Mary's husband. There
was about him a degree of mind — a certain edu
cation of thought and feeling, rarely to be met
with in his tribe. Unlike many of the Indians
on the frontiers of civilized districts, he never
indulged in the use of ardent spirits — he seemed
conscious of its tendency to degrade the man
beneath the level of the brute, and appeared to
shun contamination. The compressed expres
sion of his mouth indicated resolution and firm
ness, and often have I endeavoured, in vain, to
elicit from him a smile.
I have attempted at times to solve the mys
tery of this Indian's never-smiling face, and to
form some conjecture as to the cause of the
167
thoughtful and determined expression, which
seemed to have no moments of relaxation upon
his stern countenance.
Subsequent events have convinced me, that
mighty and important thoughts were then
working in the deep recesses of his untutored
mind. I am now convinced he was ruminating
upon the wrongs of his depressed and earth-
trampled people — the serious injuries they had
sustained, and the iniquities to which he saw
himself and his tribe exposed, excited in his
breast hatred and revenge ; these constantly
depressed his spirits — gave a colouring to his
every thought, and cast a shadow of care over
his intellectual brow.
The elder of this Indian family was Estalika,
a girl of about fifteen years of age ; her face
beamed with animation — her features were not
beautifully regular, but the tout ensemble of her
countenance was such as the most fastidious in
168
judgment of female beauty, could not but allow
to be fascinating. She was the only one of
Mary's children who had not that defect in
vision similar to her mother.
Estalika had the clear olive-red complexion,
the snow-white teeth, and the liquid-melting
dark gazelle eyes of the beautiful daughters of
the sunny clime —
" Where the virgins are soft as the roses they twine,"
She was possessed of the vivacity of the
playful fawn — which her name implies — with a
large share of its timidity, combined however
with a good degree of firmness ; when rebuked,
a crimson blush would suffuse her sweet face —
but no tears, nor any other childish expressions
of sorrow. Her young heart was like highly-
polished steel — a breath could dim it for one
moment, but the next restored its lustre.
An amiable family on the St. John's, won by
169
her gentleness of mind, received her into the
house, and endeavoured to impart to her the
blessings of civilized life ; but her spirit drooped
like a caged bird — she would often steal away,
and wander alone for hours in her native forests,
warbling some wild melody in the language of
nature. Sometimes she would resort to the
river, and launch a little canoe, and paddle along
its picturesque banks — or into some retired
creek, where she would hold communion with
the natural beauties of the mysterious world
around her ; and, as she saw herself reflected in
the dark watery mirror, she would dwell with
innocent pride upon the beauty of her own form,
or rather the gay costume of civilized life, to
which her eye had not been hitherto accustomed.
On one occasion, being requested by the lady
of the house to fetch some articles for her infant,
which Estalika used to nurse, at a single bound
she flew through the open window, and returned
170
in the same manner ; and when requested that
she would in future give preference to the door,
she replied " Cha ! — this way quick — door too
much far," and in a few moments, much to the
amusement of the company, away she flew, like
a bird, through the same aperture.
Nothing could tame this wood-nymph ; in a
few days her joyous shouts were heard resounding
through the pine forest, in full exuberance of
heart; she now roamed unrestrained through
their well-known haunts, until she took pos
session of her light canoe, in which she paddled
up the river many miles, to the wigwams of her
tribe.
Indian Mary had many friends among the
white inhabitants of Florida, and no sooner was
she apprised that the Chiefs had held a council
of war, than, in gratitude for the many kind
nesses she had received from the " pale faces,"
she hastened to inform them of the danger
171
which awaited them, unless they removed before
Christmas.
This kind-hearted, artless Indian, fell a victim
to her indiscreet benevolence, indirectly, through
the very individuals she sought to rescue. The
whites laughed at her surmises, arid made a
public jest of her admonitions, The conse
quence was fatal to poor Mary — her tribe
obtained information of her apparent unfaithful
ness, and she died the death of a traitress.
Estalika was subsequently obliged to endure
hardships and privations to which her consti
tution was unequal, and which, aided by grief
for the loss of her mother, threw her into a
decline — she was taken, with other female
Indians and children, by the whites, and con
fined in the fortress at St. Augustine ; where the
wild flower that had bloomed in loveliness but
a few sunny days, was doomed to perish. She
now sleeps with many others of her tribe,
172
who breathed their last in those loathsome
dungeons.
We have said that a secret sorrow seemed to
brood over the mind of Yaha-Ematkla-Chupka ;
rugged and stern as seemed the outward man,
he possessed all the kind feelings of a father —
he loved his Estalika to devotion. There was
a military officer, of some distinction, but a
libertine in heart, who, struck with the beauty
of this innocent child of nature, and considering
it no difficult task to win her affections, took
little pains to conceal his villainous designs ; but
Estalika, though an Indian not of the highest
cast, had been trained with every virtuous
feeling, and she indignantly bade him ' begone.'
It was something humiliating for this mighty
man to be scorned by a low-born savage — and he
determined to be revenged, and at the same
time to prove his power over one he considered
so much beneath him ; but the GREAT SPIIUT
173
watched over the girl, and before Major S- — -
had time to approach her, she had fled with the
speed of the wind to her father's protecting
arms, and, amidst sighs and tears, related the
story of her escape.
This circumstance alone would have been
sufficient to incite him to revenge, but there
were also his nation's many wrongs. The secret
workings of his mind had at length approximated
to maturity. Although he unquestionably sanc
tioned the decree of the Indian council against
his wife, he looked forward with hope for the
first act, of many since performed, in the
bloody tragedy of the Seminole war. Nor was
it long before an opportunity was afforded him
to revenge the insult offered to his daughter,
and to take up arms in defence of his country.
The war had no sooner commenced than he
slew the foul tempter of his child, and heading
one of the marauding parties sent out by
174
Oceola, he has been unremitting in his exertions
to devastate the territory ; and his revenge for
his suffering people has no doubt been satiated ;
and probably the rigid muscles of his swarthy
countenance have relaxed into more than one
broad-grin of triumph, as he swung the toma
hawk around the devoted heads of his ct pale-
faced" enemies.
There is an apology for the Indian the white
man cannot plead— consanguineous attachment
is as strong in one race as the other, and revenge
for injuries committed against relatives comprise
no inconsiderable portion of the civil and reli
gious duty of the former ; while, on the other
hand, the religion of the SAVIOUR or MANKIND
inculcates forgiveness — discountenances revenge,
and urges upon us, by the most important
considerations, the cultivation of kindly feelings,
even towards those who " despitefully use and
persecute us."
175
An Indian is taught from childhood, that if
one of his relatives should be killed, whether
by accident or design, that the shade of the
defunct must be appeased by the blood of the
destroyer. Years may elapse, but time, the
grand calmer of almost every passion, cannot
render this quiescent.
Many instances are known of individuals
who, having slain an Indian, have fled from the
vicinity, and returned after an absence of many
years ; they lulled themselves into fatal security
under the conviction of the circumstances being
forgotten ; but no sooner had intelligence of
their arrival been communicated to the relatives
of the deceased, than the homicides have been
sacrificed.
The Seminoles are an intrepid race, " lofty in
heart, in courage fierce, and in war delighting ;"
contending for the burial-place of their fathers,
and their hunt ing-grounds — they are contending
176
for their own homes and fire-sides — a patrimo
nial inheritance, transmitted from age to age,
through a long line of ancestors ; the blood of
whom, in fierce struggles for the same soil, was
poured out upon the altar of Liberty for its
defence — and whose relics yet moulder beneath
the mounds thrown up to their memory, to
endear and consecrate the land.
The present generation are still struggling for
their birth-rights, and will contest the innova
tions of their enemies to the last man. Death
has no terrors for the Indian — who is taught to
believe, that those who fall in battle, contending
for the land given to them by the GREAT SPIRIT
OF LIFE, ascend directly to HIM, who, at once
introduces them to his own beautiful hunting-
grounds — where are forests blooming in per
petual verdure and freshness — a sky that is
never dimmed by a cloud — an air laden with
fragrance— and where they pass an eternity in
177
cool shades, beside running brooks ; never to
endure the toils of the chase, because the game
is sleeping in every nook and dell.
And they believe, that here also they will
mingle with the long, long succession of brave
warriors, who have preceded them — that they
will rejoice for ever with these spiritual exist
ences, in perpetual youth and vigour ; knowing
neither sickness nor decay. Firmly believing
this, as they do, and having every thing to gain
by victory, is it not natural to suppose they will
fight like gladiators, and if doomed to perish,
exult in the last agonies of expiring nature ?
If the whites are victorious, a grand and des
perate tragedy is to be acted ! The Seminoles
have declared their determination to fight until
the last solitary being of all the red men, who
now people the wilderness of Florida, has
perished !
Ought we to expect that the Indians, who
N
178
owned these lands by an undoubted and imme
morial right of possession — who had ever
ranged as freely upon them as the breezes
which swept over their flowers, or waved the
branches of the stupendous trees — should feel
no indignation at the continued encroachments
of white men ?
The Americans seem to have forgotten, in
their own injuries, and their sympathy for their
ancestors, that the Indians are men of human
feelings ! — and that the ties which bound them
to their native soil, were as strong as those
which endeared the descendants of the con
querors of Troy to the land of Ulysses.
Though the radience of past glory lingered
round the summits of the red man's uncultivated
hills — though they never had a Parnassus con
secrated to the Muses— nor a Parthenon lifting
its costly and elegant front to the heavens — yet,
here their fathers had lived — here had been the
179
home of their youth — the theatre of their boyish
pastimes and sports. The land was hallowed by
a thousand tender and fondly cherished associ
ations; and here, in the GREAT TEMPLE OF
NATURE, amid the vast solitudes of their native
forests was the place, where from the fulness of
grateful and overflowing hearts, they had poured
forth their fervent rejoicings to the GREAT
SPIRIT.
But the work of extermination is still pro
gressing — they are fast fading away ; a few,
comparatively, of the wretched tribes are yet
remaining, in testimony that they were ; their
squalid, miserable condition, and appearance of
degradation (particularly those upon the fron
tiers), tell of the light, knowledge, and imma
culate blessings which civilization has dispensed
to them. The waves of a rapidly increasing
population are still booming on, and, ere long,
they will have settled over them for ever !
N 2
180
Future generations will feel an interest in
the achievements and history of the original
inhabitants of America, of which we cannot now
conceive. Legends of them, which shall have
survived the wreck of time, will be sought after
with avidity, to be gathered up and preserved
as invaluable. Posterity will do justice to their
characters, though it may not be done till after
the last solitary being of all the numerous tribes,
which once covered the face of this vast con
tinent, has perished. Yet, justice will be done
them ; and the youth, the man of vigour, and
the aged, of future generations, will weep and
melt as they listen to a recital of the red man's
wrongs.
I have already said, that Oceola preferred the
wilder amusements of the woods to domestic
life. During the early part of my retirement
to my property at St. John's, where I had
founded a town of that name, I undertook to
181
open a road of communication to St. Augustine,
upwards of forty miles ; and, being anxious to
complete my labor as speedily as possible, I
deemed it necessary that I should be continually
with the negroes, hired for the purpose of con
structing bridges, felling trees, and cutting
through dense swamps, &c. I took with me a
small tent, for the use of myself and my little
protegee ; and, at night, with the overseer and
negroes, we formed an encampment in the pine-
forest — when, witli blazing fires, surrounded by
*
merry-grinning black faces, our time passed
away pleasantly enough.
Early in the mornings my little friend would
wake, and allow me no more quiet until I arose,
which was generally at the first dawn of day ;
he would then make the woods re-echo with his
joy — whooping and yelling, bounding round the
pine trees, and exhibiting, in every possible way,
the joyous feelings and exuberant spirits of
182
laughter-loving childhood. He was very fond
of accompanying me with my gun and dog, and
would sometimes laugh heartily at the unsuc-
cessfulness of my sport.
Nothing can ever efface from my memory one
Sunday night, when the overseer had left us to
visit his friends in St. Augustine. We were,
with a dozen negroes, in a part of the forest that
had not been visited by as many white people
since the country was owned by the Spaniards.
Throughout the universe, a wilder spot could
not be selected than the " Three Runs ;" over
which we had to build bridges and form a
causeway of six hundred paces.
These three black-looking streams meandered
through a deep narrow valley, whose whole
course formed a morass of thick jungle, shaded
by the largest and most magnificent trees in the
world. Here was, in stately grandeur, the
gigantic live oak, with its thousand robes of
183
moss — the splendid magnolia — cedar — wild
orange — hickory ; and here lurked in security,
the shy and savage panther — the bear — and the
wolf — with snakes of the most venomous des
cription — and the hideous alligator.
Our encampment was upon the high ground
on the south side of the ' hammock ' I have
just described, which sheltered us from the
bleak north-wind. We had but three tents,
two horses, two carts, and several dogs be
longing to the negroes. — There were three very
large fires made of the resinous pine logs, which
threw up a glare of light, that gave to the dense
woods in our rear a shade as dark as Erebus.
About ten o'clock the full broad moon threw
her silvery beams through the tall stately pines
which sighed mournfully to the breeze. — Save
this melancholy sound, with the dismal hooping
of the owl — with, now and then the howling
wolves at a distance — all was still, desolate,
and dreary.
184
At this solemn moment, I reflected upon the
condition of the slaves by whom I was sur
rounded. — 'Tis true they were then happy — as
they were the whole time while in my employ —
I knew that this contentment was solely a relative
feeling ; a negro always comforts himself with
having got rid of the past — -he seldom reflects
upon the future ; if there be ever so small a
chance of temporary happiness, he readily em
braces it without embittering the moment by
gloomy forebodings. They did not hear the
crack of the * Drivers' ' whip, and they were
happy. Under an impression that I might in
some measure benefit them by wholesome ad
monition, and comfort them by prayer, I ordered
them into the open space in the centre of the
camp fires, and forming them into a circle, I
placed the young Indian on his knees, and
desired him to repeat The Lord's Prayer. No
sooner had he raised his little plaintive voice to
185
Heaven, than the negroes followed his example
with fervour and devotion. Here was a scene
that might have softened the heart of the most
obdurate sceptic— the sight of this young savage
in his native wilds, offering up his orisons to
Almighty God, accompanied by slaves even less
informed than himself upon the attributes of
prayer — with the solemn stillness of the wilder
ness, combined to make this the most impressive
scene I had ever witnessed.
The prayer ended, I addresed them upon
the peculiarity of their position in the human
family; and endeavoured to ameliorate their
condition by pouring a balm into the iron galls
of slavery. I pointed out to them the necessity
of obedience to their masters, and to depend
upon their own worthiness for comfort and hap
piness. I assured them (and with truth) that
their wants were fewer than many others of the
human race — and, although not by the hand of
186
kindness, they were supplied with all that was
absolutely requisite for their subsistence — that
it was to the interest of their proprietors to keep
them in health, for their profits depended upon
the negroes' physical strength. I advised them
to rely upon a just God; and assured them
that, by maintaining a virtuous and good life,
one day they would find their reward.
A month passed in this way in the woods, at
no little risque of an attack by Indians, who
would have been glad to have availed themselves
of our guns and horses.
I once took Oceola into St. Augustine, and
showed him the Fort where his uncle and other
Indian prisoners had been confined, and where
many of them had perished from mephitic air.
He was then not more than seven years of age ;
yet the sight of the dark frowning battlements,
evidently struck a chill into his young heart,
187
and he dreaded to meet any of the military, —
In fact, I could not reconcile him to the sight
of a soldier. Being under some apprehension
that he might be noticed by officers about the
garrison, and perhaps claimed as a prisoner, I
retreated to the woods early in the morning.
As soon as he again breathed the free pure air
of the Forest, the buoyancy of his spirit re
turned, and he again exhibited his usual mani
festations of delight.
188
OTTER HUNT.
" Would ye preserve a num'rous finny race-
Let your fierce dogs the rav'nous otter chase."
GAY.
Riding with Oceola through the beautiful
woods in the rear of my dwelling in St. John's,
my dog drove a large otter across the road just
before us — in an instant the boy was in pursuit
through thick jungle, frequently, much ob
structed by briers and other prickly bushes—
but he wound his way with the celerity of a
snake. He had not proceeded far before the
animal backed himself against a tree, and
showed fight — Now, a large otter is an ugly
customer for a single dog ; therefore my gallant
' Boxer/ deeming —
" Discretion the better part of valour" —
189
kept his enemy at bay until the arrival of the
young huntsman ; at the sight of whom, the
otter made a fresh start — now and then resting
himself against a tree, grinning defiance at his
deadly foe ; until, at last, Boxer drove him into
an open field, when it became a running fight ;
which gave Oceola an opportunity of aiding his
canine companion ; — this he did by beating
the otter with a stick until he was overpowered.
In this encounter, there was considerable risk
of his being severely bitten — the result of the
action was in favor of my boy and the dog. He
must have ran at least a mile through the
bushes before the animal was killed : he then
dragged home the body, weighing 25-lbs., a
mile and a half. Returning, he gave a prefer
ence to the open fields, which augmented the
distance — he could only advance a few paces
with his load, and then rest : and in this way
did he persevere, until he reached home— almost
190
exhausted by fatigue, but highly proud of his
achievement.
This little incident showed a perseverance,
courage, and determination of an extraordinary
character, in one so young — few would have
withstood the scratches, the toil, and hunger he
endured for a whole day — for the sole reward
of commendation, or the gratification of the
sport.
The conduct of Oceola so far gained upon
my regard, that I fully determined to adopt
and cherish him as my own child. His welfare
seemed now wholly to depend upon my exer
tions. From the jealousy and undisguised hos
tility of my white neighbours, I perceived that
his safety was endangered, independent of the
risk of his being claimed by the authorities and
" sent west." — Apprehensive of this, we sought
for him a secure retreat in the dense woods at
the back of my dwelling — to which we in-
191
structed him to retire on the least warning of
danger. The approach of a steam-boat on the
river, or the landing of strangers, roused our
anxiety, when we would despatch him to his
place of concealment, with instructions to re
main until he heard our preconcerted signal.
His happiness and future success in life
seemed now to depend wholly upon himself —
here he was an outcast from civilized society,
excepting that of my own family — his parents
or friends either dead or transported upwards
of a thousand miles into a strange land — whither
he would probably be sent, if taken from my
protection, without even the power to express
his wants — having forgotten his vernacular
tongue ; and where hundreds of his tribe had
already perished, through the effects of change
from a low to a higher latitude.
Under all these disadvantages, without regard
to personal interest, I resolved to rescue this
192
poor child from a prospect of misery and desti
tution. Among the whites in Florida it was
evident that my protection would not long
prove his safeguard ; and most ardently did I
long for the security and freedom of ' my native
land.'
My determination to embark for England
with my young charge, was soon fixed, and
almost as soon executed ; and I joyfully left
this blood-stained country on Thursday, the
28th of May, 1840, and arrived in Savannah on
the following Saturday.
Youns: Oceola expressed much delight on
beholding the cotton ships — hitherto he had
seen no larger vessels than coasting schooners
on the St. John's river. As speedily as possible
I placed him on board a ship bound for Liver
pool. Here, he did not seem secure from his
enemies ; the Captain assured me that he ran
considerable risk in receiving him on board,
193
as he was known to be a young Indian highly
connected in the Seminole nation; but an
Almighty Providence, who watches the desti
nies of the fatherless, has hitherto protected the
Orphan Boy.
On the 4th of June we left the shores of
America, and reached Liverpool in safety on
Thursday night, the 2nd of July, and landed on
the following morning.
During our passage, Oceola became the dar
ling of the sailors, who were delighted with his
exploits and agility in climbing the rigging to
the tops of the masts, and on landing they
parted with him with reluctance.
Even in Liverpool, the Captain and my fel
low-passengers expressed an apprehension that
the American Consul would claim the young
Prince, and send him back a prisoner to the
United States. I laughed at the absurdity of
such a suggestion— relying with implicit confi-
o
194
dence on the hospitable character of my country
men for protection of my boy. He was now
(it may truly be said,) in the land of freedom ;
where I rejoiced to find myself once more —
after an absence of twenty years.
Oceola here met with the kindest attention
from the amiable family of Mr. Callan — to
whom I shall ever feel grateful for their hos
pitality, both towards my protegee and myself,
during the few days we remained in Liverpool.
Strangely enough, a young Son of the American
Consul was at the time on a visit to Mr. Callan,
and became the constant companion and play
mate of Oceola ; and, had the Consul himself
been in town, I feel well assured my young
friend would have been by him also kindly
received.
Since he has been in London, he has met with
the most flattering marks of attention from per
sons of rank and respectability. His chief amuse-
195
ment, during his leisure moments from school,
has been to visit Mr. Catlin's exhibition at the
Egyptian Hall ; and sometimes I have yielded
to the entreaties of himself and his friends, in
permitting him to appear in his native costume
before the public. My principal motive in so
doing has been, that he might retain in his
memory the scenes of his childhood, and learn
more of the history of his people. I cannot
forbear once more reverting to Mr. Catlin and
his collection of Indian costumes and curiosi*
ties.
This enterprising artist has undoubtedly un
dergone more labour and privation in obtaining
a knowledge of this primitive race of men, than
any other North American Traveller. Eight of
his best years have been devoted to the pursuit
of this branch of science ; and he has succeeded
in amassing an immense collection of dresses,
spears, bows and arrows, pipes, scalps — a large
o 2
196
wigwam, or Indian tent — with many hundreds
of other curious articles ; besides which, he has
taken portraits of upwards of three hundred of
the most distinguished Chiefs — and painted
many beautiful views of American scenery, in
parts hitherto unknown to civilized man.
When we reflect that the tribes of Indians
are daily dwindling from the face of the earth,
and had not Mr. Catlin rescued so much of
their works from oblivion , but few records would
now be in existence to hand down to future
ages a pictorial history, with such ample testi
mony of the manners, customs, nay, even the
existence of this noble class of human beings.
How much, then, does Mr. Catlin merit the
gratitude of all civilized nations !
I appeal, as an Englishman, to the people of
this country, who have always been liberal
patrons of the Fine Arts — who have always
evinced an enthusiastic sympathy for the
197
Aborigines of all nations — if these splendid
productions should be permitted to leave Eng
land to ornament the Museum of some Foreign
nation.
They are the manufactory of a people who
know no arts or sciences, but such as those
pointed out by Nature herself — to guard them
from the inclemencies of the weather — to pro
vide them with food, and to repel their enemies »*
manifesting, at the same time, talents of no
ordinary character: proving, beyond doubt,
their capabilities to attain the highest order of
intellectual refinement.
Ought not then the scientific people of England
endeavour to procure these interesting collections
as curiosities worthy to rank with those from
Pompeii, Palmyra, or with the rarest specimens
of Ancient or Modern Artists ? What other
evidence will posterity have of the bare exist
ence of the Tribes of Western India !
198
Already whole tribes have been swept away,
and scarcely any other relic left of them — save
what is now in the keeping of this champion
for Indian character and Indian rights. Where
are now the Mandans — the Mohicans — the
Yemassees — and many other once formidable
and numerous tribes f — They are gone from the
earth, and will, ere long, be effaced from the
memory of man !
Little more than two centuries have elapsed,
since the first permanent settlements were
made upon the American wilderness : yet this
short period has sufficed to change the character
of a continent — to produce the entire destruc
tion of what were once powerful tribes — and,
almost, the extermination of a RACE ! !
The vices of the whites have penetrated
even among some of the tribes of the " far
distant West." The subtle poison of the
Harpies— called Indian Traders—has begun to
J99
sap the foundations of their original nobleness
of character ; and at no distant day — of the
thousands and tens of thousands who once
dwelt within the limits of the United States,
only here and there will a wanderer remain.
As from the short period of two hundred
years, we turn back and attempt to gather the
customs and traditions of the tribes which
dwelt within the limits of New England, an
terior to the arrival of the whites — we find
only scattered fragments, detached and con
fused — no relic is left of their history or habits;
and scarcely anything is known of them, un
less — that they are gathered to their fathers!
The tribes on the outskirts of civilization
are fast disappearing ; and the period will soon
have arrived, when their joys and sorrows will
be at an end— -when they will be beyond the
reach of duplicity and extortion : and, surely,
justice demands that some record of their
200
rude virtues, and unhappy fate, should be traced
on the pages of history, or be carefully pre
served in the archives of some enlightened
nation.
FINIS,
201
APPENDIX.
We have already said that the Chief, Oceola, was interred in
consecrated ground near Charleston; but will it be credited,
that with all the display of sympathy for a fallen hero, whose
fame has been re-echoed in every village throughout the
United States — whose name has been conspicuous in all the
newspapers of the north, with which was coupled that of his
betrayer, General Jessup, whom they loaded with curses dire
and deep — that, in defiance of all this excitement in favor of
Oceola, he was buried headless ! Dr. Weedon, with the
knowledge and consent of the officers who had charge of the
remains of this brave and distinguished man, so far violated
the sacred remains of the dead ; which the foul mercenary
had conveyed to New York, there to be exhibited in Peale's
museum, with other heads oF New Zealand chiefs. These
disgusting peparations, in themselves, were sufficiently dis
graceful, without the addition of one, which in life had held
millions in defiance.
202
This outrage upon the feelings and decency of the inha
bitants of New York, soon roused their resentment. When it
was announced to the public that THE HEAD OF OCEOLA
was to be seen at Peale's Museum, in Broadway, a mob
collected, and threatened to raze the building to the ground,
if this disgusting object were not forthwith removed. It was
accordingly taken away by the Doctor, who conveyed it to
St. Augustine, in Florida, where finding he could not make
a raise upon it, placed it in spirits on the counter of his
" drug store," for the gratuitous gratification of poor Oceola's
enemies.
" To what base uses we may return, Horatio."
Extract of a Letter from CAPT. BELL, to H. S. DEXTER, ESQ.
Dated " Volusia, September \8th, 1821.
" As I am under an engagement to accompany Econchatti-
Mico, the King, and all the chiefs and head men to St.
Augustine, I shall defer, until my arrival at that place, the
substance of their deliberation and " talk," all of which I
have noted, as I was certain it would be gratifying to you.
# # % %
f( I have not the pleasure of being acquainted with our
new Governor, and will thank you to apprise him of the
intended visit of the Indians, headed by their Chief or King,
Econchaiti-Mico."
* * * *
203
H. S. DEXTER ^CAPT.BELL. — St. Augustine, July 30, 1822.
* * * *
" Econchatti, the Seminole King, assisted by his principal
Counsellors, met in Council on the 24th of May, at our
settlement at Allachua, and delivered to us a* talk/ relating
to their present situation and future prospects, &c. &c."
" On Wednesday, the 20th inst., while a lieutenant and
two men were passing between Micanopy and a place called
* Black Point/ they were surprised, and fired on by a party
of Indians ; the lieutenant and one man wounded, and one
killed. Same evening, Lieut. Sanderson, in command of
Micanopy, while on a scout with eighteen or twenty men,
discovered a fire in the woods, and on going to see from
whence it proceeded, was surrounded by about fifty Indians;
Lieut. S. and nine men, three BLOOD-HOUNDS and their keeper,
killed upon the spot, and four men missing. On Friday,
news reached Nevvnansville, that three men were killed
between Posts No. 11 and 12. On Thursday, a scout dis
covered the trail of about 100 Indians in the 'Wolf Ham
mock/ six miles south of Newnansville." — East Florida
Advocate.
"The BLOOD-HOUNDS sent for by Governor Call have
arrived at Tallahassee, accompanied by twenty Leashmen,
from the Island of Cuba ; we hope soon to hear they are
0n the scent of the enemy." — St. Augustine News.
204
The first trial made by these dogs, was upon the trail of
one Indian, whom they literally tore in pieces; several
women and children were subsequently taken, dreadfully
lacerated by the teeth of these ferocious animals.
In a speech delivered in the House of Representatives of
the United States, by Mr. White of Florida, we can readily
account for the objections of the Seminole Indians to emigrate
to lands on the western side of the Mississippi. When such
few of this tribe had agreed to the treaty of their removal,
they had not then learned how their neighbours, the
Cherokees, had been decoyed from the homes of their
fathers. We find in the speech alluded to, as follows : —
" Some five years ago, a treaty had been negotiated with
the Cherokees, by which lands were ceded to them on the
west of the Mississippi, a territory, as was presumed, beyond
the reach 'of settlement, as it had been beyond the reach of
surveys. When the Indians, under this treaty, went to take
possession of these lands, they found other settlers upon
them, and at the very last Congress an act had passed,
giving pre-emption rights to the individuals who had been
found there.
Thus the poor deluded Indians, many hundred miles from
their native homes, without the means of returning, were
compelled to shift for themselves in the best way they could.
Poverty and change of climate soon induced sickness, of
which a greater portion perished.
205
THE TREATY OF MOULTRIE CREEK.
1824.
JAMES MONROE, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
OF AMERICA.
To all and singular to whom these Presents shall come,
greeting. —
WHEREAS a Treaty between the Unites States of America
and the Florida Tribes of Indians, was made and concluded
on the 18th day of September, 1823, at Camp, on Moultrie
Creek, in the Territory of Florida, by Commissioners on the
part of the United States, and certain Chiefs and Warriors
of the said Tribes, on the part and in behalf of the said Tribes,
which Treaty is in the following words, to wit : —
Article 1. — The undersigned Chiefs and Warriors, for
themselves and their Tribes, have appealed to the humanity,
and thrown themselves on, and have promised to continue
under the protection of the United States, and of no other
206
Nation, Power, or Sovereign ; and in consideration of the
promises and stipulations hereinafter made, do cede and
relinquish all claim or title which they may have to the
whole Territory of Florida, with the exception of such dis
trict of Country, as shall be herein allotted them.
Article 2. — The Florida Tribes of Indians will hereafter be
concentrated and confined to the following Metes and
Boundaries; commencing five miles North of Okehumke,
running in a direct line to a point, five miles West of
Setarky's settlement, on the waters of the Amazura or
Ouithlacoochee River, leaving said settlement two miles
South of the line, from thence in a direct line to the South
end of the Big Hammock, to include Chikkuchatti ; con
tinuing on in the same direction for five miles beyond the
said Hammock ; provided said point does not approach
nearer than fifteen miles the sea Coast of the Gulph of
Mexico ; if it does, the said line will terminate at that dis
tance from the sea Coast ; thence South twelve miles, thence
in a South 30° East direction, until the same shall strike
within five miles of the main branch* of the Charlotte River,
thence in a due East direction to within twenty miles of the
Atlantic Coast; thence North fifteen, West for fifty miles —
and from this last to the beginning point.
Article 3. — The United States will take the Florida
Indians under their care and patronage, and will afford
them protection against all persons whatsoever, provided
they conform to the Laws of the United States, and refrain
207
from making War, or giving any insult to any Foreign
Nation, without having first obtained the permission and
consent of the United States. And, in consideration of the
appeal and cession made in the 1st Article of this Treaty,
by the aforesaid Chiefs and Warriors, the United States
promise to distribute among the Tribes, as soon as concen
trated under the direction of their Agent, implements of
husbandry, and stocks of cattle and hogs, to the amount of
six thousand dollars, and an annual sum of five thousand
dollars a year, for twenty successive years — to be distributed
as the President of the United States shall direct, through
the Secretary-of-War, or his Superintendents and Agents of
Indian affairs.
Article 4. — The United States promise to guarantee to
the said Tribes, the peaceable possession of the district of
Country assigned them, reserving the right of opening
through it such roads, as may from time to time be deemed
necessary, and to restrain and prevent all white persons
from hunting, settling, or otherwise intruding upon it.
But any Citizen of the United States, being lawfully autho
rized for that purpose, shall be permitted to pass and re-
pass through said District, and to navigate the waters thereof,
without any hindrance, toll, or exaction from said Tribes.
Article 5. — For the purpose of facilitating the removal of
said Tribes to the District of country allotted them, and as
a compensation for the losses sustained, or the inconveni
ences to which they may be exposed by said removal, the
208
United States will furnish them with rations of corn, meat,
and salt, for twelve months, commencing on the 1st day of
February next.
And they further agree to compensate those individuals
who have been compelled to abandon improvements on
lands not embraced within the limits allotted, to the amount
of four thousand five hundred dollars, to be distributed
among the sufferers, in a ratio to each, proportional to the
value of the improvements abandoned. The United States
further agree, to furnish a sum not exceeding two thousand
dollars, to be expended by their Agent, to facilitate the
transportation of the different Tribes to the point of con
centration designated.
Article 6.— -An Agent, Sub-Agent, and Interpreter, shall
be appointed to reside within the Indian Boundary afore
said, to watch over the interest of said Tribes. And the
United States further stipulate, as an evidence of their
humane policy towards said tribes who have appealed to
their liberality, to allow for the establishment of a School
at the Agency, one thousand dollars per ryear, for twenty
successive years ; and one thousand dollars per year, for
the same period, for the support of a Gun and Black-Smith,
with the expenses incidental to his shop.
Article 7. — The Chiefs and Warriors aforesaid, for them
selves and Tribes, stipulate to be active and vigilant in the
preventing the retreating to, or passing through of the
district of country assigned them, of any absconding slave,
209
or fugitives from justice, and further agree to use all neces
sary exertions to apprehend and deliver the same to the
agent, who shall receive orders to compensate them agreeably
to the trouble and expences incurred.
Article 8. — A Commissioner or Commissioners, with a
Surveyor, shall be appointed by the President of the United
States, to run and mark (blazing fore and aft the trees) the
line, as defined in the second article of this Treaty; who
shall be attended by a Chief or Warrior, to be designated by
a Council of their own Tribe, and who shall receive, while so
employed, a daily compensation of three dollars.
Article 9. — The undersigned Chiefs and Warriors, for them
selves and Tribes, having objected to their concentration within
the limits described in the second article of this Treaty, under
the impression that the said limits did not contain a sufficient
quantity of good land for them to subsist on, and for other rea
sons — It is therefore expressly understood between the United
States and the aforesaid Chiefs and Warriors, that should
the country embraced in said limits, upon examination by
the Indian Agent, and the Commissioner or Commissioners,
to be appointed under the eighth article of this Treaty, be
by them considered insufficient for the support of the said
Indians, then the north line, as defined in the second article
of this Treaty, shall be removed so far north as to embrace a
sufficient quantity of good, tillable land.
Article 10. — The undersigned Chiefs and Warriors, for
themselves and Tribes, have expressed to the Commissioners
P
210
their unlimited confidence in their agent, Colonel Gad
Humphreys, and their interpreter, Stephen Richards ; and
as evidence of their gratitude for their services and humane
treatment, and brotherly attentions to their wants, request
that one mile square, embracing the improvements of Ewe-
Mathla, at Tallahassee, (said improvements to be considered
as the centre) be conveyed in fee-simple, as a present to
Colonel Gad Hamphreys. And they further request, that
one mile square at the Ocheesee Bluffs, embracing Stephen
Richards' field on said Bluffs, be conveyed in fee-simple, as
a present to Stephen Richards. The Commissioners accord
in sentiment with the undersigned Chiefs and Warriors, and
recommend a compliance with their wishes to the President
and Senate of the United States; but the disapproval, on
the part of the said authorities, of this article, shall in nowise
affect the other articles and stipulations concluded on in this
Treaty.
In testimony whereof, the Commissioners, \\ illiam P.
Duval, James Gadsden, and Bernard Segui, and the under
signed Chiefs and Warriors, have hereunto subscribed their
names and affixed their seals.
Done at the camp on Moultrie Creek, in the Territory of
Florida, this 18th day of September, 1823, and of the
Independence of the United States, the forty-eighth.
William P. Duval Econchatti-Mico
James Gadsden Nea Mathkla, x his mark
Bernard Segui Tokose Mathkla
NinneeHomataTustenuggee Lathlon Mathla
Miconopy Senufky
Necosee Apola Alak Hajo
John Blunt Faheluste Hajo
Ottemata Octapamico
Tuskeneka Tustenec Hajo
Tuske Hajo Okoske Amathla
Emoteley Ochanee Tustenuggee
Mulato King Philip
Chocolohano Charley Amathkla
Ematlochee John Hassorey
Wekse Holata Rathead
Amathla Ho Holata Amathkla
Holataficico Foschatti-Mico
Cheficico Hajo
Signed, sealed, and delivered in presence of George
Murray, Secretary to the Commission.
Gad Humphreys, Indian Agent.
Stephen Richards, Interpreter.
Isaac N. Cox.
I. Irving, Captain 4th Artillery.
Harvey Brown, Lieutenant 4th Artillery.
C. D'Espinville, Lieutenant 4th Artillery.
John B. Scott, Lieutenant 4th Artillery.
William Travers.
- Horatio S, Dexter.
Let us examine a little into the merits of this much talked
of Treaty, in the United States, for which the Indians are
held up to the world as " treacherous villains," in not having
conformed to the articles therein mentioned; — as having
" violated the Treaty."
Whilst in Florida, I had frequent conferences with Mr.
Travers upon the subject of " Treaties," the results of which
I shall endeavour to bring to bear upon that of " Moultrie
Creek," commencing with
Article 1. — Which specifies that " the undersigned Chiefs
and Warriors, for themselves and their Tribest HAVE APPEAL
ED TO THE HUMANITY, and thrown themselves on, and have
promised to continue under the protection of the United
States, &{c. The Chiefs and Warriors of the Seminole Tribes,
would spurn the idea of appealing to the humanity of the
United States, under any circumstances ; which has been
sufficiently proved during the last five years; during which
time, they have shed their blood, drop by drop, and them
selves, with their wives and children, have fallen, one by one,
into the hands of their enemies — the United States; — still
they have never appealed to their humanity, and happy had
it been for them had they remained under the Government of
Spain, when their rights were respected — they were then free
and independent.
The Spanish Floridians knew the value of these people —
the markets of St. Augustine, Pensacola, and other towns
213
in the colony, were well supplied with venison, and all the
game the country produced, besides cattle and skins to a
considerable amount ; and whenever the Chiefs condescended
to visit the governor, they were received with kindness and
dismissed with presents ; their wrongs from white men were
speedily redressed, and when the Spaniards required their
aid in war, they proved valuable allies.
Article 2. — The line of boundary run by the United States
was never agreed to on the parts of the Chiefs, generally ;
two or three alone were bribed to consent, with whiskey, and
presents of rifles and ammunition.
Article 3. — The Seminolee Indians never did, or ever
would be, made to conform to the laws of the United States ;
upon all occasions, they exercised their own ceremonies, and
enforced their own laws upon each other; and their white
neighbours knew that the death of one of the tribe, was
sure to be succeeded by a reprisal — without waiting for the
laws of the United States. And as to the bombast of im
plements of husbandry, stocks of cattle, to the amount of
six thousand dollars a year, the annual sum of five thousand
dollars, and the other stipulations, in behalf of the Indians
— for further particulars enquire of Col. Gad Humphreys,
and Major Phagan, the Indian agents.
I make no doubt, the Government paid part of this
money into the hands of the aforesaid agents, who doled it
out to the poor Indians, at the rate of two choks (Wd.
sterling), per glass of whiskey, ditto for gunpowder — both
214
combustibles were measured in the same vessel, and all
other supplies were provided in the same ratio.
Articles 4 and 5. — All gammon.
Article 6. — An agent to watch over the interest of the
Indians — like a hackney-coachman over the interest of his
employer ; so much for master, so much for me — so much
for me, so much for master.
Article 7. — If the Seminolee Indians had occupied them
selves in arresting- white fugitives from justice, they would
have had no time to hunt.
Article 8. — A few poor Red-skins, were made to carry the
surveyor's chain — for which they got flogged, if not suffici
ently active.
Article 9. — A mere humbug on the parts of the Commis
sioners, to give some appearance of character and justice to
THE TEE AT Y !
Article 10. — The perfection of knavery by the agent and
interpreter — of so glaring a character that the Government
would not stand it.
Now, this precious specimen of American bamboozle, with
thirty-two Indian signatures — William Travers informed me
was actually signed by only six out of the whole, and they
were made drunk for that purpose ; the remaining names
were filled up by the Commissioners themselves.
The next Treaty, said to have been made at Payne's
Landing, in May, 1832, is of a still more vile character
215
than the last. That was for taking the whole territory from
the Indians, and to send them away to the Arkansaw
country. The manner in which that pretended agreement
has been resisted, has already been explained. Like the
one of 1823, it has been published in America, with the
signatures of the principal Chiefs and Warriors — most of
whom never even saw it !
216
CAST OF NIKKANOCHEE's HEAD.
A very correct cast of this child's head has been taken by
Mr. DONOVAN, Principal of the London Phrenological
Institution, King William Street, Strand.
The science, of which Mr. Donovan is a zealous teacher,
and an able expounder, practically as well as theoretically,
holds — " that as the moral and intellectual faculties are
exercised, the development of the organs of those faculties
will be assisted, and the shape of the upper and frontal
regions made to approach nearer to the most perfect type
of the human head.
" By a judicious mode of education, the animal propen
sities will be kept in abeyance, and not called into action
(as they assuredly would have been) in this case, had the
child remained in his native wilds. There, combativeness,
secretiveness, and destructiveness, would have been con
tinually called into operation ; nay, they would have been
looked on as the highest intellectual virtues.
"Thus, then, education steps in to reverse this decree —
the animal propensities are not encouraged — the moral sen-
217
timents and intellectual faculties are judiciously exercised ;
and, by these means, the contour of the head approaches
more and more to that of man, in his most civilized state."
Mr. Donovan has made notes on this cast, and has
kindly suggested some important points relating to educa
tion, &c. Previous to the moment I had the gratification
of being made acquainted with this learned and benevolent
gentleman, I acknowledge myself to have been a sceptic in
the science of Phrenology ; but, after having heard the
subject so ably and clearly expounded by him, with such
striking manifestations of the truth, as regards the effect of
the education of thought on the conformation of the human
skull, I can no longer withhold my expression of a thorough
belief in the system of Phrenology, and do most strenuously
recommend those who may wish to perfect themselves in
this interesting and highly useful branch of polite learning,
to attend to his lectures and discourses.
Since writing the above, Mr. Donovan has been kind
enough to promise that casts of Prince Econchatti's head
will be taken from time to time. — It will be interesting to
observe the effect of education on the conformations of the
brain, and the consequent changes in the shape of the
head.
A splendid painting, similar to the frontispiece, has been
made of the Young Prince, by Mr. WILKIN — which is
now in the Exhibition at the Royal Academy, Trafalgar
Square.
218
EXTRACTS FROM NEWSPAPERS.
Several other combinations were formed at different times
by distinguished Indian Chiefs and patriots, to rescue their
country from the hands of those whom they regarded as
usurpers and intruders. They saw their once unbounded
possessions gradually receding from them, their numerous
tribes dwindling away, the graves of their fathers overturned
by the ploughshare, and their hunting-ground converted into
fields of grain, and occupied by men whom they had every
reason to look upon as the enemies of their race. Their
native courage, and a deep sense of the injury and wrongs
under which they suffered, roused them to action, and their
vengeance was sometimes terrible ; but their vengeance was
unavailing. They have gradually retired before the wave of
the white population, yielded up their valuable lands, either
by compulsion or persuasion, and buried themselves, from
time to time, among the primeval forests and extensive
prairies of their country, to be free and uncontaminated by
the vices of civilization. But even there they found no
security.
219
The arm of the pale-face, and his arts and liquid fire
reached them. " As the tide of our population rolled on,"
says an eloquent Senator,* " we have added purchase to
purchase ; the confiding Indian listened to our professions
of friendship. We called him brother, and he believed us.
Millions after millions he has yielded to our importunity,
until we have acquired more than can be cultivated in
centuries, and yet we crave more. We have crowded the
tribes upon a few miserable acres on our southern frontier :
it is all that is left to them of their once boundless forests,
and still, like the horse leech, our insatiable cupidity cries,
give — give/' This is a true picture of the treatment the
aboriginal proprietors of the soil of America have received
from their white brethren, since their arrival in this country.
To complete the measure of injustice, the government has
ordered the removal of all the Indian tribes still lemaining
beyond the Mississippi, where they are promised lands in
lieu of those they have abandoned. Almost all these tribes
have seen that it would be madness to resist the mandate of
the government, and have retired to the west of the Mis
sissippi. Some noble spirits, however, still hold out, and
among these is the distinguished Seminole chief, Oceola.
The Seminoles comprehend the remains of many tribes that
formerly occupied the territory of Florida, and they are now
reduced to a bare handful. The love of their native land
* Mr. Frelinghuysen, of New Jersey.
220
burns strongly in their bosoms, and Oceola has gallantly and
nobly contended, with his small band, for the country and
graves of his fathers. He has withstood the whole military
force of the United States for nearly two years, and though
captured, is still unconquered. The manner in which he has
been taken is dishonorable to our arms, and disgraceful to
the nation. He trusts to the honor of the whites, and, with
that confidence, throws himself within their power, to nego-
ciate for the liberty of one of his countrymen — and what is
the consequence ? Finding that they cannot conquer him
in fair and manly fight, they resort to a breach of faith, and
take him prisoner by a superior force, while he is trusting to
their honor. A gallant enemy would have said to him- —
" We have you now in our power, but you have confided in
our faith, and we scorn to avail ourselves of our superiority ;
retire, and we will meet you in the battle field, and subdue
you, if we can. The nation itself, if it possessed the least
spirit of gallantry, should feel the deepest mortification at
such an act, and at once grant this noble and patriotic
Chieftain his liberty, and the right of remaining, with his
whole tribe, and their descendants, for ever, in the country
for which they have so bravely and manfully contended.
But injustice is everywhere. No nation, whatever be the
form of its government, or the character of its people, is, or
ever has been exempt from it. When men feel power they
are apt to forget right — the strong will trample upon the
weak, and justice will always be more an abstraction than a
reality. Cupidity and injustice will at last triumph, in spite
of the efforts of philanthropy and benevolence, and the feeble
remnants of a noble but untutored race, will soon be blotted
for ever from the face of the world." Washington Paper.
CAPTURE OF KING PHILIP'S SON IN FLORIDA. — General
Hernandez, of the Florida Militia, succeeded in capturing
near Matanzas, Coacoochee (or Wild Cat), King Philip's
Son. The St. Augustine Herald of the 28th ult. gives this
picturesque account of him : —
" Coacoochee was mounted on a spirited horse, and attired
in his native costume — he rode into town with a great deal
of savage grace and majesty. His head-dress was a plume
of white crane feathers and a silver band. He is now con
fined in the Fort, with his Father.''
He subsequently made his escape with fifty of his War
riors, since which he has not been re-captured. He after
wards rode through the streets of St. Augustine in the even
ing, in full costume, accompanied by Jive of his Warriors.
The inhabitants of the Garrison and Fort, were so much
astounded that they remained passive until he was fairly
into the Pine Forests. — [AUTHOR.]
SURROUNDING THE ENEMY. — " In the destruction of Indi
ans the other day, during a scout by Capt. Holmes, 7th
Infantry, an instance of coolness and bravery occurred, ev
222
hibiting the material of our own service, and the indomi
table courage of the Indian. Capt. Holmes had secreted a
portion of his company in such a place as it was probable
the enemy might pass, and proceeded onward with the rest
of his command, in order to hunt them up. The ambushed
party had not lain long in their hiding-place, when a few
Indians were seen approaching, unconscious of their near
proximity to the white man. — On nearing more closely, the
anxiety of a recruit being more intense, was with difficulty
restrained from breaking up the enemy, and probably de
feating the great object in view. At this moment, a deer
sprang from its covert, and passing within a few feet of his
gun the temptation was too great, and the recruit fired. —
Alarmed by the report, the enemy ran, and the Sergeant,
with his command, mounted their horses and gave pursuit.
The Serjeant soon overtook a large and very athletic Indian,
and dismounting1, deliberately levelled his gun within a few
feet of his breast, and pulled the trigger. The gun missed
fire ; and the red-skin now levelled his rifle, and lo, the
flint refused its duty ! Dashing his musket to the earth, the
Sergeant sprang to grapple his enemy, but was felled by the
clubbed end of his rifle. Rising, he used the breach of his
gun with good effect, but was repeatedly felled by the
greater strength of his foe. Victory hanging now in a
doubtful posture, he managed while his head was receiving
a succession of tremendous blows, to 'fix his bayonet, and
made a charge upon the herculean Seminole. Doubt was
at an end ; the warrior took to his heels, and sought a tree.
There dodging a direct thrust of the instrument, he managed
to hold the anger of the Sergeant at bay, until the balance
of the command came up ; who, disposed to see ' a fair
fight,' formed a circle around the combatants. All hope
was now cut off; and with a desperate valour he fought:
the Sergeant thrusting his bayonet through him, and laying
him dead at his feet." -St. Augustine News.
INDIAN NEWS. — Our excellent correspondents at Black
Creek have put us in possession of intelligence from Fort
King to the 8th inst. which we give as follows : —
" On last Sunday week, Col. Riley ran down an Indian in
the Pine Woods, near the Withlacoochee. A day or two
afterwards, he surprised an Indian camp, consisting of two
warriors, two squaws, and four children ; they killed the
two warriors and one squaw, and took the rest prisoners. —
On Tuesday night last, one of the Indians made his escape,
owing to the sentinel going to sleep. One of the guard
saw him running, and fired at him, which alarmed the whole
camp ; the other sentinels also fired. Capt. Mason was
shot dead, either by the Indians, or accidentally by his own
men — it is supposed that the latter was the case. He was
seen running after the Indian, and it is impossible to say
who killed him." — Florida Paper.
224
The Morning Herald states that in the West of Ohio, flour
is selling at two-and-a-half dollars per barrel, and that in
1836-7 it was fourteen dollars per barrel in New York. —
The Indian war in Florida continues, and it seems to be one
of extermination. The civilized whites have resorted to the
barbarous practice of hunting down those whom they call
savages, with blood-hounds, which have been imported from
Cuba for the purpose. The following cool announcements
appear in the New York Morning Herald : — " The blood
hounds, lately received from Cuba, have been subjected to
many experiments, the results of which have been very
satisfactory. They follow a trail twenty-four hours old with
rapidity and accuracy. Some of them are to be employed
by the troops now scouring the country, between the mouths
of the Wacassassa and Suwannee Rivers, Micanopy. &c."
THE BLOOD-HOUNDS IN FULL CRY. -" Major Bailey, with
a party of dragoons, and six blood-hounds, scented out
forty Indians recently in Florida, and killed six of them.
Only one dog was killed."
If the truth could be known, we should probably find that
the atrocities occasionally blazoned in the papers, for the
purpose of inflaming the public mind, were nothing more,
if they really occurred, than measures of retaliation for the
perfidy and cruelty of the whites. Some of the States have
remonstrated against the employment of blood-hounds, as
a barbarous practice, and some memorials have been pre-
225
sented to Congress. —They were referred to the Committee
on Military Affairs, which subsequently requested to be dis
charged from the consideration of the subject. The inform
ation received from the Secretary-at-War stated, that blood
hounds had certainly been employed for the purpose of
hunting the Indians, but he did not "feel authorized to
instruct the authorities of Florida not to employ them, for
the reason that they might be used to advantage."
The news from Florida, in relation to the fugitive Indians
in the vicinity of the Choctawhatchee Bay, is by no means
satisfactory. A letter to the Editor of the Pensacola Gazette,
dated at La Grange, on the 21st ult. gives an account of a
fight near Black Creek, between thirty-three whites and a
party of Indians — in which five of the latter were killed, and
a child taken prisoner. Black Creek is about sixteen miles
from La Grange. Another murder was committed at the
Cow-ford, by the Indians, on the person of a Mr. Law
rence. On the 23rd, another fight took place at the Ala-
qua Creek, about five miles from La Grange — in which
twelve Indians were killed, and ten made prisoners. The
Pensacola Gazette adds the following paragraph : — " It is
reported that the Indians killed were all, or nearly all,
prisoners ; that there was but one man among the slain —
the rest were women and children /"
226
EXTRACT FROM COL. DAILY'S REPORT. — We encamped
together that night, which was the 14th. I discovered
considerable signs of Indians in the hammock, and
had determined on going in again the next day on foot.
On the 15th, in the morning, we went about two miles — fell
in with Adjutant Norton, and his command of footmen, from
whom I learned, that on the previous morning he had, with
the blood-hounds, which were very useful, trailed an Indian
into the hammock; On arriving in the hammock, found the
sign very fresh, and turned the dogs loose. They went
about 150 yards— came up and caught one of the Indians,
and the principal catch-dog was killed. Immediately the
men pursued after the other dogs, which were after the
Indians, for six or eight miles, but could not come up, in
consequence of the thickness of the swamp, &c. j but,
judging from the blood on the trail, one of the Indians must
have been badly wounded. Near the place where the dog
was killed, he came upon an encampment from which the
families had just escaped. On learning this the horse
men were all dismounted — a horse guard was arranged, and
the balance of the men were formed into four detachments.
I then sent two detachments to my left, and one to my right,
and entered the hammock abreast. I had not gone more
than a mile into the hammock, when we came suddenly
upon a warrior, who was brought down by Capt. Hall, and
charging onward, we came upon a large encampment, from
which the approach of Adjutant Norton had evidently
227
driven the families the previous morning, and if any war
riors were hanging around, they made off without showing
themselves.
The different detachments passed the day in endeavouring
to follow the trails ; but the nature of the grounds being
low and swampy, intersected in all directions by ponds
communicating with each other by ' runs ' of water,
through which the Indians travelled, rendered our labour
unavailing.
These two encampments were about two miles south of
the Jackson trail, and between the foot-log on the Econ-
fonee and Thomas's Old Mills on the Finholloway. They
had, I should judge, about twenty acres planted in pump
kins and squashes, but no corn that I could find. Crossing
the Finholloway, we proceeded to the Esteenhatchee, scout
ing the country on both sides the road from Fort Andrews
to Fort Frank-Brook, without discovering recent signs of
Indians, which may perhaps be attributed to the scarcity of
water in that section.
To the east of Esteenhatchee, near the Coast, I scouted
five days with equally poor success.
On Thursday, the 28th of May, sending part of my com
mand westward, I proceeded with the remainder to the
' pumpkin hammock,' in direct line, about six miles east of
the rocky ford on the Esteenhatchee, where we, on Friday,
the 29th, destroyed several fields of corn and pumpkins, &c.
— returned to our horses at night, and on the next morn-
228
ing, Captains Hall and Townsend returned to the fields with
fourteen men, to waylay. They started in the hammock at
daylight, and at the usual time of leaving camp, I moved
off with the horses, say about one and a half miles from the
hammock, so as to deceive the Indians if they had dis
covered us the day before. On arriving at the fields, they
lay in ambush about two hours, but saw no Indians. They
then proceeded to follow a trail that was discovered the
evening before — pursued the trail about two hours — came
upon a camp — surprised and took prisoners ten women and
children, and accidentally shot one woman — mistaking her
for a warrior. The women say the warriors were absent
hunting. In re-assembling my command at Fort Andrews
on the 3rd of June, I found seventy-one men on the sick
report ; and though the well men were ready to continue
operations, I judged it more prudent, after twenty-six days
of severe labor and exposure, to march them to their sepa
rate camps, to repair their health and strength.
We have, on this scout, broke up four encampments of
Indians, which must have contained from 125 to 150, old
and young ; and it is reasonable to suppose that we did not
find all.
Drew, Printer, 17, Portugal Street, Lincoln's Inn.
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